Plant-based compositions and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compositions comprising a plant material and methods for using the same. The methods include extracting or removing a substance from a substrate, or remediating a substrate from a substance. The substance can comprise a hydrocarbon-containing substance, a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid or fatty alcohol, or a combination thereof.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/842,173,filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to compositions comprising plantmaterial and methods for using the same. The methods include extractinga substance from a substrate and remediating a substrate from asubstance, wherein the substance can comprise a protein, lipid, wax,fatty acid, fatty alcohol, hydrocarbon-containing substance, or acombination thereof. The methods also include providing a skin benefit;controlling, preventing, or treating oily or greasy hair; promoting hairgrowth; treating or preventing a periodontal disease, dental plaque ordental decay; and accelerating wound healing with the compositionsprovided herein. Methods of using the composition for purifying amixture comprising an alcohol, inhibiting agglomeration of a granulatedproduct, inducing plant growth, and preventing erosion is also provided.

BACKGROUND

World petroleum supplies are finite. Thus, as world petroleum demand hasincreased (84,337 M bpd worldwide in 2009; US Energy InformationAdministration), easily accessible reserves have been depleted.Furthermore, much of the world's proven conventional petroleum reservesare located in regions which are politically unstable. Accordingly,supplies of petroleum from such regions might be uncertain sinceproduction of petroleum or the transportation of petroleum products fromsuch regions might be interrupted.

Bituminous sands, colloquially known as oil sands or tar sands, are atype of unconventional petroleum deposit. The sands typically comprisenaturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water, and a dense andviscous form of petroleum known as bitumen. Oil sands reserves have onlyrecently been considered to be part of the world's oil reserves, ashigher oil prices and new technology enable oil sands to be profitablyextracted and refined. Thus, oil sands are now a viable alternative toconventional crude oil. Oil sands might represent as much as two-thirdsof the world's total “liquid” hydrocarbon resources, with at least 1.7trillion recoverable BOE (barrel of oil equivalent) in the CanadianAthabasca oil sands alone.

Extra-heavy oil and bitumen flow very slowly, if at all, towardoil-producing wells under normal reservoir conditions. Accordingly, incertain oil recovery operations from oil sands, the oil is made to flowinto wells by using in situ techniques that reduce its viscosity byinjecting steam, solvents, or hot air into the sands. These processestypically use large amounts of water and require large amounts of energyrelative to conventional oil extraction. Further, typical extractionprocesses applied to oil sands generate significantly higher amounts ofgreenhouse gases per barrel relative to the production of conventionaloils due to the increased energy requirements for recovery of oil fromoil sands.

In other oil sand mining operations, where oil sands are relativelyclose to the earth's surface, surface mining has been used to extractthe oil contained therein. After removing the overburden (the soilcovering the oil sands), the sands are mechanically excavated andtransported to a refining facility.

In one surface-mining method, after excavation, hot water and causticsoda (NaOH) are added to the sand. The resultant slurry is piped to theextraction plant where it is agitated and oil is skimmed off themixture. The combination of hot water, sodium hydroxide, a flocculantand agitation generally releases bitumen from the oil sand, and the oilfloats to the top of separation vessels where it is separated. Then, theseparated oil is further treated to remove residual water and finesolids before subsequent processing to convert the heavy oil to usableproducts.

Such conventional processes to extract oil from oil sands also employmixing the oil sand with high pH water, and then aerating the resultantmixture with air to produce froth (see, e.g., Masliyah, J.; Zhou, Z. J.;Xu, Z.; Czarnecki, J.; Hamza, H.: “Understanding water-based bitumenextraction from Athabasca oil sands.” The Canadian Journal of ChemicalEngineering 2004, 82, (4), 628-654). A slurry of high pH water and oilsand is placed in a primary separation cell (PSC). Agitation andintroduction of air assists in separating oil from the oil sand, andcreates a froth in which the oil is entrained. The froth is removed,deaerated, and sent to feed tanks for further treatment. The remainingsand, comprising residual oil not removed in the PSC, is treated as“middlings” or as bottoms using the same process for extracting oil fromoil sands in the PSC (i.e., high pH water and aeration). The froth fromthese subsequent processes is recycled to the PSC. The overallenhancement of oil from the oil in the froth is approximately 60% bymass over the iterative removal steps.

About two tons of oil sands are required to produce one barrel (roughly⅛ of a ton) of oil. After oil extraction, the spent sand and othermaterials are typically transported back to the mine for disposal.However, even with improved extraction processes, up to 10% of the oilin the oil sands can be left in the resultant tailings. Thus, theprocess is inefficient. The tailings can contain significant amounts ofoil and other pollutants which must be disposed of in an environmentallysound manner. In conventional oil sand mining operations, this hasresulted in large lagoons containing high levels of oil and otherpollutants. Accordingly, there is a need for improved compositions andmethods for extraction of oil from oil sands that are more efficient(e.g., can remove higher amounts of oil), use less energy, and producetailings that are environmentally benign.

In addition, in conventional oil production processes, methods ofenhancing oil recovery are known. These include, but are not limited tohydraulic fracturing of rock formations containing hydrocarbon deposits.In hydraulic fracturing operations, a fluid (e.g., water) which cancomprise various additives (e.g., acids, rheology modifiers, detergents,gels, gas, proppant, etc.) is introduced into a rock formation underhigh pressure to fracture the rock formation. Such fracturing of ahydrocarbon-bearing rock formation effectively increases the surfacearea of rock exposed to a wellbore (i.e., along the fracture faces), andaccordingly, allows more hydrocarbon to flow into the well bore.However, the viscosity of the oils contained in the formation can limitthe utility of hydraulically fracturing rock formations which containheavy oils. That is, if the viscosity of the oil is too high, increasingthe surface area of the formation exposed to the well bore along thefracture might not significantly increase production rates. Accordingly,there is a need for hydraulic fracturing fluids which can enhance totaloil recovery or increase oil production rates.

In addition, remediation of environmentally compromised sites (e.g.,hazardous waste sites) is an ongoing challenge. For example, there aremany sites where hydrocarbons (e.g., crude oil, coal tar, creosote,refined oil products) have been spilled or discharged into theenvironment. Such discharges can result in contamination of soil orwater, and can contaminate groundwater supplies. Accordingly, suchcontaminated sites or waters (e.g., rivers, streams, ponds and harbors)require remediation to extract contaminants.

There are several known remediation technologies. One method comprisesexcavation of contaminated soil. However, remediation by excavation hastraditionally been a “dig and haul” process, wherein contaminated soilsare excavated and disposed of in landfills or destroyed by thermaltreatments such as incineration. In the case of landfill disposal ofcontaminated soil, the problem of soil contamination is not resolved asthe soil is relocated and moved to another location. In the case ofthermal desorption, the hydrocarbon or other pollutants can bedestroyed, but typically produces a large carbon footprint, which, inand of itself, is not an environmentally friendly process, since energyis required and greenhouse gases are produced.

Chemical treatment (e.g., oxidation) has also been utilized in theremediation of contaminated soil. This process comprises excavation ofthe contaminated soil, followed by chemical treatment to chemicallymodify or degrade the pollutants to potentially less toxic or hazardousforms. However, such methods can require large quantities of specializedchemicals to oxidize the contaminants, and can be ineffective atoxidizing certain pollutants.

Another remediation method comprises injection of a material into thesoil to sequester contaminants, with a goal of immobilizing them andpreventing them from migrating. For example,stabilization/solidification (S/S) is a remediation or treatmenttechnology that relies on the reaction between a binder and soil tostop, prevent or reduce the mobility of contaminants. Stabilizationcomprises the addition of liquid or solid materials to contaminated soilto produce more chemically stable constituents. Solidification comprisesthe addition of liquid or solid reagents to a contaminated material toimpart physical, for example, dimensional stability, so that they areconstrained in a solid product and to reduce mobility of thecontaminants. However, such methods might not be desirable since overtime, the solids can break down or degrade, releasing the hydrocarbonsor other pollutants back into the environment.

Accordingly, there is a need for cost-effective methods for extractingcontaminants (e.g., hydrocarbons) from soils and other substrates atenvironmentally compromised or contaminated sites and for sequesteringcontaminants in situ in a cost effective manner.

There is also a need for improved compositions and methods forextracting or removing other undesirable substances from substrates,such as the removal of a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid or fattyalcohol from a substrate such as fabric, skin or hair. For example, skinsebum contains bulky oils such as long chain fatty esters andtriglycerides and can be difficult to remove. Sebum generally comprisesa complex mixture of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, sterol estersand free sterols produced by sebocytes (cells of the sebaceous glands inthe skin) and secreted to the skin surface. An excessive amount of sebumon the skin can lead to undesirable skin effects. Similarly, anexcessive amount of oils or grease in hair can lead to an undesirableappearance. Thus, there is a need for novel compositions and methods toremove excessive oils from the skin and hair.

The present invention meets these needs and provides related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides aqueous compositionscomprising: about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % of plant material; 0% to about20 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 10 wt % of an alcohol; 0% toabout 25 wt % of a base; 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; 0% to about 10wt % of an acid; 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; 0% to about 30 wt %of a sugar; and about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % of water; wherein theaqueous compositions have a pH of from about 9 to about 13, and whereinthe plant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides extractantscomprising: about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plant material; 0% toabout 2 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol; 0%to about 10 wt % of a base; 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; 0% to about10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; 0% to about 30wt % of a sugar; and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water; wherein theplant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides substantiallyanhydrous compositions comprising: about 20 wt % to about 99.9 wt % ofplant material; 0 to about 20 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt% of an alcohol; 0% to about 30 wt % of a base; 0% to about 50 wt % of asalt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 30 wt % of anadditive; and 0% to about 10 wt % water; 0% to about 30 wt % of a sugar;wherein the plant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinationsthereof.

The present invention further provides articles, where the article is abandage, absorptive dental roll, tampon, sanitary napkin, diaper, bodyurinal, underarm perspiration pad, breast pad, disposable hat band,wiping cloth, tissue wipe, premoistened towelette, mattress pad,undersheet, surgical dressing, toilet paper or facial tissue and whereinthe article contains a Composition of the Invention.

The present invention also provides a method for extracting a substancefrom a substrate and comprises contacting the substrate with aComposition of the Invention under conditions effective for extractingat least some of the substance from the substrate.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides a method forremediating a substrate from a substance, comprising contacting thesubstrate with a Composition of the Invention under conditions effectivefor remediating the substrate from the substance.

Also provided herein is a method for providing a skin benefit. In oneembodiment, the method for providing a skin benefit comprises applyingto the skin of a subject in need thereof an effective amount of aComposition of the Invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method forcontrolling, preventing, or treating oily or greasy hair, or promotinghair growth comprising applying to the scalp or hair of a subject inneed thereof an effective amount of a Composition of the Invention.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method fortreating or preventing a periodontal disease, dental plaque or dentaldecay comprising administering to the oral cavity of a subject in needthereof an effective amount of a Composition of the Invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treatinga wound comprising contacting a wound of a subject with a Composition ofthe Invention under conditions effective for accelerating wound healing.

The present invention also provides a method of purifying a mixturecomprising an alcohol, including purifying a mixture comprising analcohol and an impurity.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of purifyinga mixture comprising an impurity, comprising contacting the mixture witha Composition of the Invention under conditions effective for removingat least some of the impurity from the mixture.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of inhibitingagglomeration of a granulated product. In one embodiment, the methodcomprises contacting the granulated product with a Composition of theInvention under conditions effective for inhibiting agglomeration of thegranulated product.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for inducingplant growth. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting a plantseed, plant root, or soil in which the plant seed or root is present inwith a Composition of the Invention under conditions effective forinducing growth of the plant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for making aplant fertilizer, wherein the method comprises admixing with sand orsoil a Composition of the Invention.

The present invention also provides methods for preventing soil, sand orroad surface erosion, comprising applying to the soil, sand, or roadsurface beach a Composition of the Invention under conditions effectiveto prevent erosion of the soil, sand or road surface.

The present compositions (each being a “Composition of the Invention”)and methods, and advantages thereof, are further illustrated by thefollowing non-limiting detailed description and Examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 3 after 60 min of stirring, then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 1A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 1B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 2A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 4 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 2A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 2B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 3A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 5 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 3A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 3B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 4A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 6 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 4A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 4B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 5A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 7 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 5A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 5B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 6A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 8 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 6A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 6B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 7A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 9 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 7A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 7B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 8A-B are photographs showing a side view of the vessel containingthe mixture of Example 10 after 60 min of stirring then briefly allowingthe mixture to settle (FIG. 8A), and a top view of the inside of thevessel after decanting the supernatant (FIG. 8B), also after 60 min ofstirring.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are photographs showing a top-down (FIG. 9) and side(FIG. 10) view of the contents in the beaker in Example 13 beforestirring.

FIG. 11 is a photograph showing the contents of the beaker in Example 13after stirring for 4 min, then allowing most of the solids to settle.FIG. 11 shows stringers of oil separating from the oil sand.

FIG. 12 is a photograph showing the contents of the beaker in Example 13after stirring for 10 minutes. FIG. 12 shows stringers of oil separatingfrom the oil sand.

FIG. 13 is a photograph showing the contents of the beaker in Example13, showing that sand free of oil that had settled to the bottom of thebeaker a few minutes after stirring was stopped.

FIG. 14 is a photograph showing the contents of the beaker in Example13, showing that agglomerating oil deposits sat on top of the sand afterdecanting the solution into another beaker.

FIGS. 15-16 are photographs showing the contents of the beaker ofExample 13 after stirring 30 min, then decanting the solution intoanother beaker. FIG. 15 is a photograph of “free” oil sticking to theglass of the beaker in which the oil sand and extractant were stirred,after decanting the extractant liquid comprising some extracted oil intoa second beaker. FIG. 16 is a photograph showing the remaining sand andoil in the beaker in which the oil sand and extractant were stirredafter decanting the extractant liquid comprising some extracted oil intothe second beaker.

FIG. 17 is a photograph showing the sand, oil and magnetic stir barremaining in the beaker of Example 13 after stirring for 1 hour anddecanting the resultant supernatant.

FIG. 18 is a photograph showing the oil remaining on the glass of thefirst beaker of Example 13 after transferring the sand, oil andextractant to a second beaker.

FIG. 19 is a chart showing the size distribution of the solids in theAthabasca oil sands of Example 14.

FIG. 20 depicts a series of photographs showing the contents of thebeakers in Example 17, illustrating the effects of adding a solutioncomprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water byweight to light tar oil in a glass beaker with subsequent stirring, andthe effect of adding water to light tar oil in a glass beaker withsubsequent stirring.

FIG. 21 depicts a series of photographs showing the contents of thebeakers in Example 18, illustrating the effects of adding a solutioncomprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water byweight to coal tar in a glass beaker with subsequent stirring, and theeffect of adding water to coal tar in a glass beaker with subsequentstirring.

FIG. 22 depicts series of photographs showing the contents of thebeakers in Example 19, illustrating showing the effects of adding asolution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95 partswater by weight to oil-contaminated sludge in a glass beaker withsubsequent stirring, and the effect of adding water to oil-contaminatedsludge in a glass beaker with subsequent stirring.

FIG. 23 is a process flow diagram illustrating the process described inExample 21 for frothing and extracting oil from Athabasca oils sand andquantifying recovery of oil therefrom, to quantitatively assess thefoaming properties of Compositions of the Invention.

FIG. 24 depicts three photographs illustrating aeration experimentsperformed as described in Example 21, but without recovery andquantification of oil, to qualitatively assess the foaming properties ofillustrative Compositions of the Invention.

FIG. 25 depicts two photographs illustrating the results of when coaltar coated sand is stirred with a solution comprising 5 parts of thecomposition of Example 1 and 95 parts water by weight for two hours,then aerated as described in Example 21.

FIG. 26 depicts a series of photographs showing the effect of reducingthe pH of a solution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1and 95 parts water by weight on suspended fines after extraction andremoval of extracted oil from a 5 g sample of Athabasca oil sand in theexperiment described in Example 23.

FIG. 27 is a photograph showing an aliquot of a pH 12.7 hemp-basedcomposition, prepared by acid treatment of hemp, after centrifugation.

FIG. 28A is a photograph showing Monarch oil after addition to a 10 wt %solution of the uncentrifuged hemp-based composition of Example 29.

FIG. 28B is a photograph showing coal tar after addition to a 10 wt %solution of the centrifuged hemp-based composition of Example 29.

FIG. 29 is a photograph of an illustrative frothing apparatus.

FIG. 30 is a photograph showing shows a sample comprising homogenized 5wt % coal tar/95 wt % sand, in the bottom of the frothing apparatus ofFIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a photograph showing a sample comprising homogenized 5 wt %coal tar/95 wt % sand, in the bottom of the frothing apparatus of FIG.29 after three hours of aeration with air at 60 psi.

FIGS. 32A-D are photographs showing emulsification and frothing of coaltar in a composition of the invention.

FIGS. 33A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 5 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35.

FIGS. 34A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35.

FIGS. 35A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 20 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35.

FIGS. 36A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 5 wt % solution of the composition of Example 36.

FIGS. 37A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 36.

FIGS. 38A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 20 wt % solution of the composition of Example 36.

FIGS. 39, 40A-B and 41A-B are photographs showing the extraction of coaltar from coal tar sand in a 10 wt % solution of the composition ofExample 37 over approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of stirring.

FIGS. 42, 43A-B and 44A-B are photographs showing the extraction of coaltar from coal tar sand in a 10 wt % solution of the composition ofExample 38 over approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of stirring.

FIGS. 45, 46A-B and 47A-B are photographs showing the extraction ofAthabasca oil from Athabasca oil sand in a 10 wt % solution of thecomposition of Example 35 over approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes ofstirring.

FIGS. 48, 49A-B and 50A-B are photographs showing the extraction ofAthabasca oil from Athabasca oil sand in a 10 wt % solution of thecomposition of Example 36 over approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes ofstirring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The word ‘about’ when immediately preceding a numerical value means arange of plus or minus 10% of that value, e.g., “about 50” means 45 to55, “about 25,000” means 22,500 to 27,500, etc. Furthermore, the phrases“less than about” a value or “greater than about” a value should beunderstood in view of the definition of the term “about” providedherein.

Compositions of the Invention

The compositions of the present invention (each being a “Composition ofthe Invention”) may be aqueous, an extractant, or substantiallyanhydrous. The Compositions of the Invention may further comprise acosmetically acceptable vehicle or a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier, vehicle, or excipient.

Aqueous Compositions

In one embodiment, the present invention provides aqueous compositionscomprising: about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % of plant material; 0% to about20 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 10 wt % of an alcohol; 0% toabout 25 wt % of a base; 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; 0% to about 10wt % of an acid; 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; 0% to about 30 wt %of a sugar; and about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % of water; wherein theaqueous composition has a pH of from about 9 to about 13, and whereinthe plant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides aqueouscompositions comprising about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plantmaterial; 0% to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % ofan alcohol; 0% to about 10 wt % of a base; 0% to about 10 wt % of asalt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10 wt % of anadditive; and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water. In one embodiment,the composition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plantmaterial; 0% to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % ofan alcohol; 0% to about 10 wt % of a base; 0% to about 10 wt % of asalt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10 wt % of anadditive; and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water. In yet anotherembodiment, the composition comprises about 20 wt % to about 99.9 wt %of plant material; 0 to about 20 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1wt % of an alcohol; 0% to about 15 wt % of a base; 0% to about 10 wt %of a salt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10 wt % of anadditive; and 0% to about 10 wt % water.

In other embodiments, the aqueous compositions comprise from about 1 toabout 30 wt % of plant material and 0 to about 10 wt % of apolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the aqueous compositionscomprise from about 1 to about 10 wt % of plant material and 0 to about5 wt % of a polysaccharide. In still other embodiments, the aqueouscompositions comprise from about 1 to about 5 wt % of plant material and0 to about 1 wt % of a polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the aqueouscompositions do not comprise a polysaccharide other than that present inor derived from the plant material. In other embodiments, the aqueouscompositions do not comprise a polysaccharide.

Polysaccharides include oligomeric or polymeric sugars comprising atleast three monomeric units. The monomeric units may be the same ordifferent, and may include monosaccharides or disaccharides.Polysaccharides which are useful in the present aqueous composition aretypically water-soluble, e.g., soluble in water or water-alcoholsolutions. In general, the polysaccharides are plant-derivedpolysaccharides, including related materials such as pectins. Examplesof polysaccharides that are useful for the present aqueous compositionsinclude, but are not limited to, water-soluble cellulose derivatives,seaweed polysaccharides such as alginate and carrageenan, seedmucilaginous polysaccharides, complex plant exudate polysaccharides suchas gum arabic, tragacanth, guar gum, pectin, ghatti gum and the like,and microbially synthesized polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, ormixtures of such polysaccharides. In certain embodiments, thepolysaccharide is guar gum, pectin, gum arabic and mixtures thereof. Insome embodiments, the polysaccharide is a synthetic polysaccharide suchas synthetic guar. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide is guar gum. Insome embodiments, the present aqueous compositions do not comprise oneor more of the aforementioned polysaccharides other than that present inor derived from the plant material. In other embodiments, the presentaqueous compositions do not comprise one or more of the aforementionedpolysaccharides.

The polysaccharide can be present in the aqueous compositions in anamount ranging from 0 to about 20 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about0.5 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % toabout 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt%, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % toabout 10 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12wt %, about 12 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %,about 14 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16wt % about 17 wt %, about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % toabout 19 wt %, about 19 wt % to about 20 wt %, or any other value orrange of values therein). In some embodiments, the polysaccharide ispresent in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %. In otherembodiments, the present aqueous compositions do not comprise apolysaccharide (i.e., 0 wt %).

Similarly, plant material useful in the present aqueous compositions canbe those from any plant. The plant material can include any part of theplant, e.g., trunk, stems, seeds, roots, leaves, branches, bark,flowers, nuts, sprouts, or any other part of a plant. In someembodiments, the plant material comprises plant protein. In someembodiments, the plant proteins are prolamines. In certain embodiments,the plant is a cereal plant. Suitable cereal plants include, but are notlimited to, corn, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, rye, triticale,fonio, buckwheat, spelt, quinoa, flax, or mixtures thereof. In otherembodiments, the plant material is lentils (e.g., green, yellow, black),soybean, hemp seed, chia, grass, wheat grass and barley (e.g., pearl,groat). In some embodiments, the plant is cotton, and the plant materialis cotton seeds. In some embodiments, the plant is flax, and the plantmaterial is flax seeds. In some embodiments, the plant is wheat, and theplant material is wheat germ. In some embodiments, the plant material iscorn gluten meal. In still other embodiments, the corn gluten mealcomprises a protein, and the protein is gluten. In other embodiments,the gluten is corn gluten.

In some embodiments, the plant is hemp, and the plant material is hempseeds. In some embodiments, the hemp seeds are hulled hemp seeds. Insome embodiments, the plant is soy, and the plant material is soybean.In some embodiments, soybean is partially sprouted.

In some embodiments, the plant material has a protein content of fromabout 5 wt % to about 100 wt % (e.g., 5 to about 10 wt %, about 10 wt %to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 35 wt %,about 35 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 40 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 45wt % to about 50 wt %, about 50 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 55 wt % toabout 60 wt %, about 60 wt % to about 65 wt %, about 65 wt % to about 70wt %, about 70 wt % to about 75 wt %, about 75 wt % to about 80 wt %,about 80 wt % to about 85 wt %, about 85 wt % to about 90 wt %, about 90wt % about 95 wt %, about 95 wt % to about 100 wt %, or any other valueor range of values therein) of the plant material.

In some embodiments, the present aqueous compositions comprise a plantprotein as measured by Biuret assay (as described herein), in an amountranging from about 0.1 ppt (part per thousand) to about 100 ppt (e.g.,from about 0.1 ppt to about 0.2 ppt, from about 0.2 ppt to about 0.3ppt, from about 0.3 ppt to about 0.4 ppt, from about 0.4 ppt to about0.5 ppt, from about 0.5 ppt to about 0.6 ppt, from about 0.6 ppt toabout 0.7 ppt, from about 0.7 ppt to about 0.8 ppt, from about 0.8 pptto about 0.9 ppt, from about 0.9 ppt to about 1.0 ppt, from about 1 pptto about 5 ppt, from about 5 ppt to about 10 ppt, from about 10 ppt toabout 15 ppt, from about 15 ppt to about 20 ppt, from about 20 ppt toabout 25 ppt, from about 25 ppt to about 30 ppt, from about 30 ppt toabout 35 ppt, from about 35 ppt to about 40 ppt, from about 40 ppt toabout 45 ppt, from about 45 ppt to about 50 ppt, from about 50 ppt toabout 55 ppt, from about 55 ppt to about 60 ppt, from about 60 ppt toabout 65 ppt, from about 65 ppt to about 70 ppt, from about 70 ppt toabout 75 ppt, from about 75 ppt to about 80 ppt, from about 80 ppt toabout 85 ppt, from about 85 ppt to about 90 ppt, from about 90 ppt toabout 95 ppt, from about 95 ppt to about 100 ppt, or any other value orrange of values therein) of the aqueous composition.

Prolamine is a cereal-derived protein that is typically soluble indilute aqueous alcohol solutions. Examples of suitable prolamines thatare useful in the present aqueous compositions include, but are notlimited to, corn-derived prolamine (also referred to as zein),barley-derived prolamine or hordein, wheat-derived prolamine or gliadin,or corn gluten. Zein is extractable from corn or maize.

Zein can be extracted from corn gluten by physical separation means orchemical separation means. In one embodiment, the zein has a molecularweight of about 20,000 to about 35,000 Da. In another embodiment, thezein has a molecular weight of from about 19,000 Da to about 22,000 Da.

In certain embodiments, the plant protein is separated from plantmaterial. For example, the plant material can be combined with a solventor solvent blend to extract plant protein from the plant material. Incertain embodiments, the plant material can be combined with a solventor solvent blend to separate the plant protein from the plant material.Suitable solvents can include water, or an organic solvent, in theabsence or presence of water. Suitable organic solvents include, but arenot limited to, C₁ to C₄ alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanoland i-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol and tert-butanol;glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol;glycol ethers; amine solvents such as butylamine; aminoalcohols such asethanolamine, diethanolamine, diisopropanolamine; ketone-containingsolvents such as acetone, acetic acid and acetamide; aromatic alcoholssuch as benzyl alcohol; and mixtures thereof.

In other embodiments, the plant material can be combined with a solventor solvent blend and then can be treated with acid or base to separateplant protein from the plant material. Thus, in some embodiments, theplant material of the present aqueous compositions is an acidified plantmaterial. An acidified plant material is plant material which has beencontacted with an acid. For example, a plant material can be contactedwith an acid or a solution comprising an acid to afford the acidifiedplant material. The acid can be an inorganic or organic acid. In someembodiments, the inorganic acid is hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid ornitric acid. In some embodiments, the organic acid is a _(C1) to _(C20)organic acid such as formic acid, citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid,tannic acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, andmixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the acid is citric acid. In someembodiments, the acid is aqueous.

In other embodiments, the plant material of the present aqueouscompositions is a basified plant material. A basified plant material isplant material which has been contacted with a base. For example, aplant material can be contacted with a base or a solution comprising abase to afford the basified plant material. The base can be an inorganicor organic base. In some embodiments, the inorganic base is an alkalimetal or alkaline earth metal compound such as sodium hydroxide, lithiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate,sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate andcalcium carbonate. In some embodiments, the organic base is an a C₁-C₆mono, di or trialkyl amine pyridine or triethylamine. Other suitablebases include ammonium hydroxide and ammonia. In some embodiments, thebase is aqueous.

In some embodiments, the acidified plant material is subsequentlybasified, such that its pH, or the pH of a Composition of the Inventioncomprising acidified plant material, is raised. The pH of the acidifiedplant material after being basified, or of a Composition of theInvention comprising acidified plant material after being basified, canbe acidic, neutral or basic. Acidified plant material that issubsequently basified can be reacidified. The pH of the reacidifiedplant material, or of a Composition of the Invention comprisingreacidified plant material, can be acidic, neutral or basic.

In some embodiments, the basified plant material is subsequentlyacidified, such that its pH, or the pH of a Composition of the Inventioncomprising basified plant material, is lowered. The pH of the basifiedplant material after being acidified, or of a Composition of theInvention comprising basified plant material after being acidified, canbe acidic, neutral or basic. Basified plant material that issubsequently acidified can be rebasified. The pH of the rebasified plantmaterial, or of a Composition of the Invention comprising rebasifiedplant material, can be acidic, neutral or basic.

Suitable acids and bases for separation of plant protein from plantmaterial are those as described herein which are useful in a preparing aComposition of the Invention. In some embodiments, the pH of the mixtureof the plant material and solvent may be adjusted to from about 2 toabout 14 (e.g., from about 2 to about 3, from about 3 to about 4, fromabout 4 to about 5, from about 5 to about 6, from about 6 to about 7,from about 7 to about 8, from about 8 to about 9, from about 9 to about10, from about 10 to about 11, from about 11 to about 12, from about 12to about 13, from about 13 to about 14, or any other value or range ofvalues therein). The mixture of the plant material and solvent, whichcan further comprise an acid or base, may be agitated (e.g., stirring,mixing).

In some embodiments, the plant material or plant protein may be reducedin size prior to use in the present aqueous compositions. For example,the plant material or plant protein may be ground, chopped, pulverized,milled or macerated to reduce the size of the plant material, to enablethe dissolution, suspension or admixture of the plant material orprotein in the present aqueous compositions. For example, the plantmaterial or plant protein may be ground, chopped or macerated to provideparticulate sizes (e.g., length, width or average diameter) ranging fromabout 0.1 mm to about 1 cm (e.g., from about 0.1 mm to about 0.2 mm,from about 0.2 mm to about 0.3 mm, from about 0.3 mm to about 0.4 mm,from about 0.4 mm to about 0.5 mm, from about 0.5 mm to about 0.6 mm,from about 0.6 mm to about 0.7 mm, from about 0.7 mm to about 0.8 mm,from about 0.8 mm to about 0.9 mm, from about 0.9 mm to about 1 mm, fromabout 1 mm to about 2 mm, from about 2 mm to about 3 mm, from about 3 mmto about 4 mm, from about 4 mm to about 5 mm, from about 5 mm to about 6mm, from about 6 mm to about 7 mm, from about 7 mm to about 8 mm, fromabout 8 mm to about 9 mm, from about 9 mm to about 1 cm, or any othervalue or range of values therein).

The mixture comprising the plant material can be admixed, optionallywith agitation, for a period of about 10 minutes, about 20 minutes,about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 1 hour,about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, or any other value or rangeof values therein or thereabove) and at a temperature of from about 5°C. to about 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about 10° C. toabout 15° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 20° C. to about 25°C., about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about35° C. to about 40° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about 45° C. toabout 50° C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 55° C. to about 60°C., about 60° C. to about 65° C., about 65° C. to about 70° C., about70° C. to about 75° C., about 75° C. to about 80° C., about 80° C. toabout 85° C., about 85° C. to about 90° C., about 90° C. to about 95°C., about 95° C. to about 100° C., or any other value or range of valuestherein). The solvent and pH can be selected to suspend or solubilizeprotein present in the plant material. The remaining components (e.g.,cellulosic material) from the plant material can precipitate out ofsolution, and the plant protein can then be separated by decanting thesupernatant or by filtration.

In other embodiments, the plant protein may be obtained as apre-separated material. For example, zein extracted from corn may beobtained commercially from, e.g., Chemieliva Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.,HBC Chem. Inc., Matrix Marketing GMBH, and Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.

In some embodiments, the plant material is present in the aqueouscompositions in an amount ranging from about 1 to 50 wt % (e.g., about 1to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % toabout 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 11wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 13 wt %,about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 15wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % toabout 30 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 35 wt % to about 40wt %, about 40 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 45 wt % to about 50 wt %, orany other value or range of values therein) of the aqueous composition.In some embodiments, the plant material is present in an amount of fromabout 1 wt % to about 30 wt %. In certain embodiments, the plantmaterial is present in an amount of from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %.In other embodiments, the plant material is present in an amount of fromabout 1 wt % to about 5 wt %.

The present aqueous compositions can further comprise an acid or a base.The acid or base is useful for adjusting the pH of the aqueouscompositions. For example, the acid or base is useful for adjusting thepH of the present aqueous compositions to a pH of about 1 to about 14(e.g., from about 1 to about 2, from about 2 to about 2, from about 3 toabout 4, from about 4 to about 5, from about 5 to about 6, from about 6to about 7, from about 7 to about 8, from about 8 to about 9, from about9 to about 10, from about 10 to about 11, from about 11 to about 12,from about 12 to about 13, from about 13 to about 14, or any other valueor range of values therein). In certain embodiments, the pH of thepresent aqueous composition ranges from about 3.5 to about 13; in otherembodiments, from about 6.5 to about 8.5. In some embodiments, the pH isabout 13; in other embodiments, the pH is about 7.5 to about 8.4. Incertain embodiments, the pH of the present aqueous composition rangesfrom about 5 to about 13; from about 6 to about 13; from about 7 toabout 13; from about 8 to about 13; from about 9 to about 13; from about10 to about 13; from about 11 to about 13; from about 12 to about 13.

Such pH adjustment can improve the dispersibility of the protein orpolysaccharide, if present, of the present aqueous compositions. Acidsuseful in the present aqueous compositions include inorganic acids suchas carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, or hydrochloric acid. Organic acids canalternatively be employed. Suitable organic acids include C₁ to C₂₀organic acids such as formic acid, citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid,tannic acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, andmixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the acid is citric acid.

The acid can be present in the aqueous compositions in an amount from 0wt % to about 10 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % toabout 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt%, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % toabout 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt%, or any other value or range of values therein) of the aqueouscomposition. In some embodiments, the acid is present from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt % of the aqueous compositions. In one embodiment, theacid is present in about 0.03 wt %. In some embodiments, the aqueouscompositions do not comprise an acid.

The present aqueous composition can comprise a base. Bases useful in thepresent aqueous compositions are organic or inorganic bases. Suitableinorganic bases include alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compoundssuch as sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodiumcarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassiumbicarbonate, magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. Other suitablebases include ammonium hydroxide, substituted amine bases and ammonia.

The base can be present in the aqueous compositions in an amount from 0wt % to about 25 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % toabout 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt%, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % toabout 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt%, about 10 wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about12 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt %to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about17 wt %, about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %,about 19 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21wt % to about 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % toabout 24 wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, or any other value orrange of values therein). In some embodiments, the base is present fromabout 1 wt % to about 15 wt % of the aqueous compositions. In oneembodiment, the base is present in about 7 wt %. In some embodiments,the aqueous compositions do not comprise a base.

The present aqueous compositions can also comprise a salt. Salts usefulin the present aqueous compositions include organic or inorganic salts.Suitable salts include alkali or alkaline earth metal salts such assodium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride,magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, potassiumbromide, calcium bromide, magnesium bromide, ammonium bromide, sodiumiodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide, magnesium iodide, ammoniumiodide, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesiumsulfate, ammonium sulfate.

The salt can present in the aqueous compositions in an amount from 0 wt% to about 30 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % toabout 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt%, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % toabout 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 17 wt %,about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21 wt % toabout 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % to about 24wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26 wt %,about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %, about 28wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, or any othervalue or range of values therein) of the aqueous composition. In someembodiments, the salt is present from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.05 wt %of the aqueous compositions. In some embodiments, the aqueouscompositions do not comprise a salt.

The present aqueous composition can comprise a sugar. A “sugar” includesany monosaccharide or disaccharide. Sugars which are useful in thepresent aqueous compositions include glucose, fructose, galactose,xylose, ribose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, and trehalose.

The sugar can present in the aqueous compositions in an amount from 0 wt% to about 30 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % toabout 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt%, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % toabout 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 17 wt %,about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21 wt % toabout 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % to about 24wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26 wt %,about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %, about 28wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, or any othervalue or range of values therein). In one embodiment, the aqueouscomposition does not comprise sugar.

The present aqueous compositions comprise water. The amount of water inthe present aqueous compositions can range from about 10 to about 90 wt% (e.g., about 10 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 20 wt %,about 20 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 30wt % to about 35 wt %, about 35 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 40 wt % toabout 45 wt %, about 45 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 50 wt % to about 55wt %, about 55 wt % to about 60 wt %, about 60 wt % to about 65 wt %,about 65 wt % to about 70 wt %, about 70 wt % to about 75 wt %, about 75wt % to about 80 wt %, about 80 wt % to about 85 wt %, about 85 wt % toabout 90 wt %, or any other value or range of values therein). Incertain embodiments, the aqueous compositions comprise from about 80 wt% to about 90 wt % water. In one embodiment, the aqueous compositionscomprise about 69 wt % water.

The present aqueous compositions can further comprise an organicsolvent, in the absence or presence of water. Suitable organic solventsinclude, but are not limited to, C₁ to C₄ alcohols such as methanol,ethanol, n-propanol and i-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanoland tert-butanol. Alternatively glycols such as ethylene glycol,propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol, and ketone-containing solventssuch as acetone can be employed. In certain embodiments, the aqueousorganic solvent is ethanol or i-propanol. In one embodiment, the aqueouscompositions comprise water and an alcohol; in another embodiment, waterand ethanol or i-propanol.

The amount of organic solvent, if present, can be selected based onfactors such as its miscibility in water, if present, and the amount ofprotein. The organic solvent can be present in the aqueous compositionsin an amount ranging from 0 wt % to about 10 wt % (e.g., 0 wt % to about1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %,about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt %to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, orany other value or range of values therein) of the aqueous composition.In certain embodiments, the organic solvent is present in an amount ofabout 2.5 wt %. In some embodiments, the aqueous compositions do notcomprise an organic solvent.

The present aqueous compositions can also comprise one or more otheradditives. Suitable additives include, but are not limited to,detergents, as surface tension modifiers, flocculants, dispersants,rheology modifiers, emulsifiers, surfactants and solvents. Illustrativeadditives are polysorbates, oils (e.g., canola oil, vegetable oils,etc.) In some embodiments, the present aqueous compositions compriselime (e.g., quick lime, slaked lime, Ca(OH)₂, Type-S hydrated lime). Incertain embodiments, the lime is Type-S hydrated lime. The additive(s)can be present in the aqueous compositions in amounts ranging from 0 toabout 30 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1 wt%, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % toabout 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt%, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % toabout 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 17 wt %,about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21 wt % toabout 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % to about 24wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26 wt %,about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %, about 28wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, or any othervalue or range of values therein) of the aqueous composition. In certainembodiments, the additive is Type-S hydrated lime and is present in anamount of about 0.5 wt %. In some embodiments, the aqueous compositionsdo not comprise an additive. In some embodiments, the aqueouscompositions do not comprise lime. In some embodiments, the aqueouscompositions do not comprise S type hydrated lime.

In some embodiments, the additive of the present aqueous compositionscomprises a surfactant. Surfactants are compounds that lower the surfacetension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, orthat between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents,wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants.Surfactants that can be present in the present aqueous compositionsinclude cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants. Surfactantssuitable for use in the present invention can include polysorbates suchas polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60 or polysorbate 80.

In some embodiments, the additive of the present aqueous compositionscomprises a solvent. Solvents are liquids which can be added to thepresent compositions, or to a substance (e.g. a hydrocarbon-containingsubstance), to decrease the density of a substance to be extracted orremediated by a Composition of the Invention. Solvents which are usefulin the present aqueous compositions include terpenes such a d-limonene.In some embodiments, the solvent is diesel fuel. Such diesel fuel can bepetroleum-derived, that is, obtained from the processing of crude oil.Alternatively, the diesel fuel can be biodiesel. Biodiesel is avegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chainalkyl esters, which can be produced by chemically reacting lipids suchas vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol to produce fatty acidesters. In one embodiment, the aqueous composition does not comprise asolvent.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, the aqueouscompositions comprise a polysaccharide that is guar gum and plantmaterial that is corn gluten meal. In other embodiments, the aqueouscompositions further comprise one or more of water, isopropanol, citricacid, Type S hydrated lime, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride. Inother embodiments of the present invention, the aqueous compositionscomprise plant material that is corn gluten meal, and do not contain apolysaccharide other than that present in or derived from the corngluten meal. In other embodiments, the aqueous compositions furthercomprise one or more of water, isopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydratedlime, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides aqueouscompositions comprising about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % of plant material,0 to about 20 wt % of a polysaccharide, 0% to about 10 wt % of analcohol, 0% to about 25 wt % of a base, 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt,0% to about 10 wt % of an acid, 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive, 0%to about 30 wt % of a sugar, and about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % ofwater, wherein the aqueous composition has a pH of from about 9 to about13.

In one embodiment, the aqueous compositions comprise from about 1 wt %to about 30 wt % of the plant material and 0 to about 10 wt % of thepolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the aqueous compositionscomprise from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the plant material and 0to about 5 wt % of the polysaccharide. In other embodiments, the aqueouscompositions comprise from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the plantmaterial and 0 to about 1 wt % of the polysaccharide. In someembodiments, the plant a cereal. In some embodiments, the cereal iscorn, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, rye, triticale, fonio, flax,buckwheat, spelt or quinoa. In one embodiment, the cereal is corn. Inother embodiments, the plant material is lentils (e.g., green, yellow,black), soybean, hemp seed, chia, grass, wheat grass and barley (e.g.,pearl, groat). In some embodiments, the plant material comprises a plantprotein. In some embodiments, the plant protein is from corn glutenmeal.

In some embodiments, the plant is hemp, and the plant material is hempseed. In some embodiments, the plant is soybean, and the plant materialis soybean. In other embodiments, the plant is cotton. In certainembodiments, the plant protein is prolamine, zein, hordein, or gliadin.In some embodiments, the polysaccharide of the present aqueouscomposition is alginate, carrageenan, gum Arabic, tragacanth gum, guargum, pectin, ghatti gum, xanthan gum, or mixtures thereof. In someembodiments, the polysaccharide is about 0.5 wt % to about 2 wt % of theaqueous composition. In some embodiments, the aqueous compositions donot comprise any of the aforementioned polysaccharides other than thosepresent in or derived from the plant material. In other embodiments, theaqueous compositions do not comprise any of the aforementionedpolysaccharides. In other embodiments, the aqueous compositions do notcomprise polysaccharide.

In some embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises analcohol. In certain embodiments, the alcohol is ethanol, methanol, orisopropanol. In one embodiment, the alcohol is isopropanol. In someembodiments, the alcohol is about 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of the aqueouscomposition. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition does notcomprise an alcohol. In some embodiments, the aqueous compositionfurther comprises a base. In certain embodiments, the base is aninorganic base or an inorganic base. In other embodiments, the inorganicbase is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base. In someembodiments, the inorganic base is sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate or calciumcarbonate. In certain embodiments, the base is about 0 wt % to about 10wt % of the aqueous composition. In some embodiments, the aqueouscomposition does not comprise a base.

In some embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises a salt.In certain embodiments, the salt is sodium chloride, potassium chloride,calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide,potassium bromide, calcium bromide, magnesium bromide, ammonium bromide,sodium iodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide, magnesium iodide,ammonium iodide, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate,magnesium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate,magnesium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate or mixturesthereof. In certain embodiments, the salt is about 0 wt % to about 10 wt% of the aqueous composition. In some embodiments, the aqueouscomposition does not comprise a salt.

In some embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises an acid.In certain embodiments, the acid is an organic acid. In otherembodiments, the acids include inorganic acids. In certain embodiments,the inorganic acids include carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, orhydrochloric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is a C1-C20 organicacid. In certain embodiments, the acid is citric acid, formic acid,ascorbic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, adipic acid, tannic acid, lacticacid, fumaric acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the acid iscitric acid. In certain embodiments, the acid is about 0 wt % to about10 wt % of the aqueous composition. In some embodiments, the aqueouscomposition does not comprise an acid.

In some embodiments, the aqueous composition of further comprises anadditive. In certain embodiments, the additive is lime. In oneembodiment, the lime is Type S Hydrated certain embodiments, theadditive is lime. In certain embodiments, the lime is Type S HydratedLime. In certain embodiments, the Type S Hydrated Lime is about 0 wt %to about 10 wt % of the aqueous composition. In some embodiments, theaqueous composition does not comprise an additive. In some embodiments,the aqueous composition does not comprise lime.

In some embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises about 10 wt % toabout 90 wt % water. In certain embodiments, the aqueous compositioncomprises about 80 wt % to about 90 wt % water. In certain embodiments,the aqueous composition comprises a polysaccharide and thepolysaccharide and plant protein are in the form of a complex. Incertain embodiments, the pH of the aqueous composition is from about 6to about 8. In certain embodiments, the aqueous composition does notcomprise a polysaccharide other than that derived from the plantmaterial, wherein the plant material is hemp seed, and wherein theaqueous composition optionally further comprises one or more ofisopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodium hydroxide, andsodium chloride. In one embodiment, the aqueous compositions furthercomprise a substrate. In certain embodiments, the aqueous compositiondoes not comprise a polysaccharide other than that derived from theplant material, wherein the plant material is hemp seed, and wherein theaqueous composition optionally further comprises one or more ofisopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodium hydroxide, andsodium chloride. In one embodiment, the aqueous compositions furthercomprise a substrate. In some embodiments, the plant material of thepresent aqueous compositions is an acidified plant material. In otherembodiments, the plant material of the present aqueous compositions is abasified plant material.

Preparation of the Aqueous Compositions

The present aqueous compositions can be prepared by admixing the aqueouscompositions' components, optionally in the presence of water or anorganic solvent. For example, the aqueous compositions can be preparedby admixing the plant material component, in an amount as describedhereinherein, with one or both of water and an organic solvent to form aplant material mixture. The plant material mixture can be in asuspension or solution that can comprise an acid or base. The plantmaterial can be added to the water, the organic solvent or both, or viceversa. The plant material mixture can be stirred or agitated until theplant material is suspended or substantially dissolved (e.g., about 10minutes, about 20 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, orany other value or range of values therein or thereabove). The plantmaterial mixture can be heated at a temperature of from about 5° C. toabout 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about 10° C. to about15° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C.,about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about 35° C.to about 40° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about 45° C. to about 50°C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about60° C. to about 65° C., about 65° C. to about 70° C., about 70° C. toabout 75° C., about 75° C. to about 80° C., about 80° C. to about 85°C., about 85° C. to about 90° C., about 90° C. to about 95° C., about95° C. to about 100° C., or any other value or range of values therein),optionally with mixing. In certain embodiments, the plant materialmixture is prepared at ambient temperature (e.g., about 23° C.).

In some embodiments, the plant material is wetted with water (e.g.,contacted or admixed with water, soaked in water, saturated with water)prior to admixing with other ingredients to form the present aqueouscompositions. For example, the plant material may wetted with water fora time period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 168 hours (e.g.,from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about20 minutes, from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 30minutes to about 40 minutes, from about 40 minutes to about 50 minutes,from about 50 minutes to about 1 hour, from about 1 hour to about 2hours, from about 2 hours to about 3 hours, from about 3 hours to about4 hours, from about 4 hours to about 5 hours, from about 5 hours toabout 6 hours, from about 6 hours to about 7 hours, from about 7 hoursto about 8 hours, from about 8 hours to about 9 hours, from about 9hours to about 10 hours, from about 10 hours to about 11 hours, fromabout 11 hours to about 12 hours, from about 12 hours to about 14 hours,from about 14 hours to about 16 hours, from about 16 hours to about 18hours, from about 18 hours to about 20 hours, from about 20 hours toabout 22 hours, from about 22 hours to about 24 hours, from about 24hours to about 28 hours, from about 28 hours to about 32 hours, fromabout 32 hours to about 36 hours, from about 36 hours to about 40 hours,from about 40 hours to about 44 hours, from about 44 hours to about 48hours, from about 48 hours to about 72 hours, from about 72 hours toabout 96 hours, from about 96 hours to about 120 hours, from about 120hours to about 144 hours, from about 144 hours to about 168 hours, orany other value or range of values therein). In some embodiments, thewetted plant material may be admixed with the water employed forwetting. In some embodiments, the plant material is wetted in a sterileenvironment. In other embodiments, the plant material which has beenwetted with water may be separated from the wetting water (e.g., whenthe plant material has been immersed in water to effect said wetting)by, e.g., decantation or filtration, prior to admixing the protein withadditional components of the present aqueous compositions. In someembodiments, the plant material is not wetted.

In other embodiments, an acid or a base is added to water, organicsolvent or both, and the resultant solution is added to the plantmaterial mixture, or vice versa, providing an acidified or basifiedplant material as described herein for use in preparing the presentaqueous compositions. The acid or base can be undiluted or present as amixture with water or an organic solvent. After addition of the acid orbase, in certain embodiments the plant material mixture is allowed tostand for a period of time prior to addition of other components. Forexample, the plant material mixture can be allowed to stand for a periodof about 10 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40minutes, about 50 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours,about 4 hours, about 8 hours, or any other value or range of valuestherein or thereabove). The plant material mixture can be allowed tostand at a temperature of from about 5° C. to about 100° C. (e.g., about5° C. to about 10° C., about 10° C. to about 15° C., about 15° C. toabout 20° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C., about 25° C. to about 30°C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about 35° C. to about 40° C., about40° C. to about 45° C., about 45° C. to about 50° C., about 50° C. toabout 55° C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about 60° C. to about 65°C., about 65° C. to about 70° C., about 70° C. to about 75° C., about75° C. to about 80° C., about 80° C. to about 85° C., about 85° C. toabout 90° C., about 90° C. to about 95° C., about 95° C. to about 100°C., or any other value or range of values therein). In certainembodiments, after addition of the acid or base, the plant materialmixture is allowed to stand at ambient temperature (e.g., about 23° C.).

Where the aqueous compositions comprise a polysaccharide other than thatwhich is present or derived from the plant material, the polysaccharideis added to the plant material mixture, or vice versa. In someembodiments, protein from the plant material and polysaccharide form aprotein-polysaccharide complex in solution. Typically the plant materialand polysaccharide are admixed with agitation (e.g., stirring, mixing).The mixture comprising the plant material and polysaccharide can beadmixed with agitation for a period of about 10 minutes, about 20minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 1hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, or any other value orrange of values therein or thereabove) and at a temperature of fromabout 5° C. to about 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about10° C. to about 15° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 20° C. toabout 25° C., about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 30° C. to about 35°C., about 35° C. to about 40° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about45° C. to about 50° C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 55° C. toabout 60° C., about 60° C. to about 65° C., about 65° C. to about 70°C., about 70° C. to about 75° C., about 75° C. to about 80° C., about80° C. to about 85° C., about 85° C. to about 90° C., about 90° C. toabout 95° C., about 95° C. to about 100° C., or any other value or rangeof values therein). In certain embodiments, the mixture comprising theplant material and polysaccharide is agitated at ambient temperature(e.g., about 23° C.).

In some embodiments, a salt is added to the plant material mixture, orvice versa, typically with agitation (e.g., stirring, mixing). The plantmaterial mixture can be agitated for a period of about 10 minutes, about20 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, or any other valueor range of values therein or thereabove) and at a temperature of fromabout 5° C. to about 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about10° C. to about 15° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 20° C. toabout 25° C., about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 30° C. to about 35°C., about 35° C. to about 40° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about45° C. to about 50° C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 55° C. toabout 60° C., about 60° C. to about 65° C., about 65° C. to about 70°C., about 70° C. to about 75° C., about 75° C. to about 80° C., about80° C. to about 85° C., about 85° C. to about 90° C., about 90° C. toabout 95° C., about 95° C. to about 100° C., or any other value or rangeof values therein). In certain embodiments, the plant material mixtureis agitated at ambient temperature (e.g., about 23° C.).

The plant material mixture can then be admixed with one or moreadditives described herein. The plant material mixture can be added tothe one or more additives, or vice versa. Typically the plant materialmixture and one or more additives are admixed with agitation (e.g.,stirring, mixing). The resultant mixture can be agitated for a period oftime until it becomes uniform, e.g., a solution or a uniform suspension.For example, the resultant mixture can be agitated for a period of about10 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about50 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours,or any other value or range of values therein or thereabove) and at atemperature of from about 5° C. to about 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. toabout 10° C., about 10° C. to about 15° C., about 15° C. to about 20°C., about 20° C. to about 25° C., about 25° C. to about 30° C., about30° C. to about 35° C., about 35° C. to about 40° C., about 40° C. toabout 45° C., about 45° C. to about 50° C., about 50° C. to about 55°C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about 60° C. to about 65° C., about65° C. to about 70° C., about 70° C. to about 75° C., about 75° C. toabout 80° C., about 80° C. to about 85° C., about 85° C. to about 90°C., about 90° C. to about 95° C., about 95° C. to about 100° C., or anyother value or range of values therein). In certain embodiments, theresultant mixture is agitated at ambient temperature (e.g., about 23°C.).

The resultant mixture is then allowed to stand without agitation toallow any undissolved or unsuspended solids to precipitate. Theresultant mixture can be allowed to stand at a temperature of from about5° C. to about 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about 10° C.to about 15° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 20° C. to about 25°C., about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about35° C. to about 40° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about 45° C. toabout 50° C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 55° C. to about 60°C., about 60° C. to about 65° C., about 65° C. to about 70° C., about70° C. to about 75° C., about 75° C. to about 80° C., about 80° C. toabout 85° C., about 85° C. to about 90° C., about 90° C. to about 95°C., about 95° C. to about 100° C., or any other value or range of valuestherein) for a period of about 10 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 30minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, about 8 hours, or any other valueor range of values therein or thereabove). In certain embodiments, afteradmixture with an additive, the resultant mixture is allowed to stand atambient temperature (e.g., about 23° C.), until any undissolved orunsuspended solids present have precipitated. The resultant mixture canthen be decanted or filtered to remove the solids therefrom, and thesolids are discarded, to provide the present aqueous composition in theform of a solvent mixture. The solvent mixture generally has a final pHranging from about 5 to about 14 (e.g., from about 5 to about 6, fromabout 6 to about 7, from about 7 to about 8, from about 8 to about 9,from about 9 to about 10, from about 10 to about 11, from about 11 toabout 12, from about 12 to about 13, from about 13 to about 14, or anyother value or range of values therein). In certain embodiments, the pHranges from about 6 to about 8. In other embodiments, the pH is about13. In certain embodiments, the pH of the solvent mixture ranges fromabout 5 to about 13; from about 6 to about 13; from about 7 to about 13;from about 8 to about 13; from about 9 to about 13; from about 10 toabout 13; from about 11 to about 13; from about 12 to about 13.

In certain embodiments, the resultant mixture can be further purifiedvia the application of gravity or another force that can effectseparation of one or more unwanted by-products (e.g., solids, gels,suspensions and the like) from the present aqueous compositions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the resultant mixture is subject tocentrifugal force effected by a centrifuge to remove one or moreunwanted by-products. The centrifugal force applied can be expressed interms of relative centrifugal force (RCF), as a number (n) times theforce of gravity (g), and has units of g, wherein 1 g is the force ofgravity at sea level. RCF can be a convenient value to use whendescribing the centrifugal force acting on a given material because itis a constant that is independent of the apparatus used. Thus, in someembodiments, the RCF applied to the resultant mixture is from about 100g to about 20,000 g (e.g., from about 10 g to about 1,000 g, from about1,000 g to about 2,000 g, from about 2,000 g to about 3,000 g, fromabout 3,000 g to about 4,000 g, from about 4,000 g to about 5,000 g,from about 5,000 g to about 6,000 g, from about 6,000 g to about 7,000g, from about 7,000 g to about 8,000 g, from about 8,000 g to about9,000 g, from about 9,000 g to about 10,000 g, from about 10,000 g toabout 11,000 g, from about 11,000 g to about 12,000 g, from about 12,000g to about 13,000 g, from about 13,000 g to about 14,000 g, from about14,000 g to about 15,000 g, from about 15,000 g to about 16,000 g, fromabout 16,000 g to about 17,000 g, from about 17,000 g to about 18,000 g,from about 18,000 g to about 19,000 g, from about 19,000 g to about20,000 g, or any other value or range of values therein). In someembodiments, the RCF ranges from about 12,000 g to about 18,000 g. Inother embodiments, the RCF ranges from about 15,000 g to about 18,000 g.After such centrifugation, the supernatant may be removed by, e.g.,suction, decantation, filtration and the like, to afford the presentaqueous compositions. In some embodiments, one or more additives asdescribed herein can be added to the present aqueous compositions afterpurification be, e.g., filtration or centrifugation.

Extractants

The present compositions can be combined with water to form anextractant useful in the methods described herein. Thus, in anotherembodiment, the present invention relates to extractants comprising:about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plant material; 0% to about 2 wt % ofa polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol; 0% to about 10 wt %of a base; 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; 0% to about 10 wt % of anacid; 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; 0% to about 30 wt % of asugar; and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water; wherein the plantmaterial is hemp seed, soybean, or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the plant material of the present extractants is anacidified plant material. In other embodiments, the plant material ofthe present extractants is a basified plant material.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an extractantcomposition comprising about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plant material;0% to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % of analcohol; 0% to about 10 wt % of a base; 0% to about 10 wt % of a salt;0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10 wt % of an additive; andabout 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water. In one embodiment, theextractant composition comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plantmaterial; 0% to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % ofan alcohol; 0% to about 10 wt % of a base; 0% to about 10 wt % of asalt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10 wt % of anadditive; and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water. In yet anotherembodiment, the extractant composition comprises about 20 wt % to about99.9 wt % of plant material; 0 to about 20 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0%to about 1 wt % of an alcohol; 0% to about 15 wt % of a base; 0% toabout 10 wt % of a salt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10wt % of an additive; and 0% to about 10 wt % water.

In some embodiments, the extractant comprises about 0.1 wt % to about 1wt % of plant material and 0 to about 1 wt % of a polysaccharide. Incertain embodiments, the extractant comprises about 0.1 wt % to about0.5 wt % of plant material and 0 to about 1 wt % of a polysaccharide. Insome embodiments, the extractant does not comprise a polysaccharideother than that present in or derived from the plant material. In otherembodiments, the aqueous compositions do not comprise a polysaccharide.

The polysaccharide can be present in the extractants in an amountranging from about 0 to about 2 wt % (e.g., about 0.01 wt % to about0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, about 0.3 wt % to about 0.4wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt % to about 1.5 wt %, about 1.5 wt % to about 2.0 wt %,or any other value or range of values therein). In some embodiments, thepolysaccharide is present in an amount of from 0 wt % to about 1 wt %.In other embodiments, the present extractants do not comprise apolysaccharide other than that present in or derived from the plantmaterial. When present, polysaccharides which are useful in the presentextractants include those as described herein which can be employed inthe present aqueous compositions.

In some embodiments, the plant material is present in the extractants inan amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 2 wt % (e.g., about 0.01 wt %to about 0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, about 0.1 wt % toabout 0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, about 0.3 wt % toabout 0.4 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % toabout 0.6 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.7 wt % toabout 0.8 wt %, about 0.8 wt % to about 0.9 wt %, about 0.9 wt % toabout 1.0 wt %, about 1.0 wt % to about 1.5 wt %, about 1.5 wt % toabout 2.0 wt %, or any other value or range of values therein). Plantmaterials which are useful in the present extractant include those asdescribed herein which can be employed in the present aqueouscompositions. In some embodiments, the plant material is present in anamount of from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt %. In certain embodiments,the plant material is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % toabout 0.5 wt %.

The present extractants can further comprise an acid or a base. Acidsand bases useful in the present extractants are those as describedherein which are useful in the present aqueous compositions. The acidcan be present in the extractants in an amount from 0 wt % to about 1 wt% (e.g., about 0 to about 0.01 wt %, about 0.01 wt % to about 0.05 wt %,about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 0.2 wt %,about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, about 0.3 wt % to about 0.4 wt %,about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 0.6 wt %,about 0.6 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.7 wt % to about 0.8 wt %,about 0.8 wt % to about 0.9 wt %, about 0.9 wt % to about 1 wt %, or anyother value or range of values therein). In some embodiments, the acidis present from about 0.01 wt % to about 1 wt % of the extractant. Insome embodiments, the extractant does not comprise an acid.

The base can be present in the extractants in an amount from 0 wt % toabout 30 wt % (e.g., about 0 to about 0.01 wt %, about 0.01 wt % toabout 0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, about 0.1 wt % toabout 0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, about 0.3 wt % toabout 0.4 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % toabout 0.6 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.7 wt % toabout 0.8 wt %, about 0.8 wt % to about 0.9 wt %, about 0.9 wt % toabout 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt%, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % toabout 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt%, about 10 wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about12 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt %to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about17 wt %, about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %,about 19 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21wt % to about 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % toabout 24 wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26wt %, about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %,about 28 wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, or anyother value or range of values therein). In some embodiments, the baseis present from about 0.01 wt % to about 1 wt % of the extractants. Insome embodiments, the extractant does not comprise a base.

The present extractants can also comprise a salt. Salts useful in thepresent extractants are those as described herein which are useful inthe present aqueous compositions. The salt can be present in theextractants in an amount from 0 wt % to about 30 wt % (e.g., about 0 toabout 0.01 wt %, about 0.01 wt % to about 0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % toabout 0.1 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % toabout 0.3 wt %, about 0.3 wt % to about 0.4 wt %, about 0.4 wt % toabout 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 0.6 wt %, about 0.6 wt % toabout 0.7 wt %, about 0.7 wt % to about 0.8 wt %, about 0.8 wt % toabout 0.9 wt %, about 0.9 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % toabout 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt%, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 11 wt %, about11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 13 wt %to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 17 wt %, about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %,about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21 wt % to about 22 wt %, about 22 wt % toabout 23 wt %, about 23 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26 wt %, about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %,about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %, about 28 wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29wt % to about 30 wt %, or any other value or range of values therein).In some embodiments, the salt is present from about 0.01 wt % to about 1wt % of the extractant. In some embodiments, the extractant does notcomprise a salt.

The present extractants can further comprise an organic solvent. Organicsolvents which can be present in the extractants include those describedherein which can be present in the aqueous compositions of theinvention. The amount of organic solvent, if present, can be in anamount of 0 wt % to about 1 wt % (e.g., about 0 to about 0.01 wt %,about 0.01 wt % to about 0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %,about 0.1 wt % to about 0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %,about 0.3 wt % to about 0.4 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %,about 0.5 wt % to about 0.6 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 0.7 wt %,about 0.7 wt % to about 0.8 wt %, about 0.8 wt % to about 0.9 wt %,about 0.9 wt % to about 1 wt %, or any other value or range of valuestherein). In some embodiments, the extractant dos not comprise anorganic solvent. In some embodiments, the extractant dos not comprise analcohol.

The present extractants can also comprise one or more other additives.Additives that can be present in the extractants include those describedherein which can be present in the aqueous compositions of theinvention. The additive(s) can be present in the extractants in amountsranging from 0 to about 30 wt % (e.g., about 0 to about 0.01 wt %, about0.01 wt % to about 0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, about0.1 wt % to about 0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, about 0.3wt % to about 0.4 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt %to about 0.6 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.7 wt % toabout 0.8 wt %, about 0.8 wt % to about 0.9 wt %, about 0.9 wt % toabout 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt%, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % toabout 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt%, about 10 wt % to about 11 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about12 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt %to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about17 wt %, about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %,about 19 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21wt % to about 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % toabout 24 wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26wt %, about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %,about 28 wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, or anyother value or range of values therein). In certain embodiments, theadditive is Type-S hydrated lime. In certain embodiments, the additiveis polysorbate. In certain embodiments, the additive is diesel fuel. Incertain embodiments, the additive is biodiesel. In some embodiments, theextractant dos not comprise an additive. In some embodiments, theextractant does not comprise lime. In some embodiments, the extractantdoes not comprise Type-S hydrated lime.

The amount of water in the present extractants can range from about 50to about 99.9 wt % (e.g., about 50 wt % to about 51 wt %, about 51 wt %to about 52 wt %, about 52 wt % to about 53 wt %, about 53 wt % to about54 wt %, about 54 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 55 wt % to about 56 wt %,about 56 wt % to about 57 wt %, about 57 wt % to about 58 wt %, about 58wt % to about 59 wt %, about 59 wt % to about 60 wt %, about 60 wt % toabout 61 wt %, about 61 wt % to about 62 wt %, about 62 wt % to about 63wt %, about 63 wt % to about 64 wt %, about 64 wt % to about 65 wt %,about 65 wt % to about 66 wt %, about 66 wt % to about 67 wt %, about 67wt % to about 68 wt %, about 68 wt % to about 69 wt %, about 69 wt % toabout 70 wt %, about 70 wt % to about 71 wt %, about 71 wt % to about 72wt %, about 72 wt % to about 73 wt %, about 73 wt % to about 74 wt %,about 74 wt % to about 75 wt %, about 75 wt % to about 76 wt %, about 76wt % to about 77 wt %, about 77 wt % to about 78 wt %, about 78 wt % toabout 79 wt %, about 79 wt % to about 80 wt %, about 80 wt % to about 81wt %, about 81 wt % to about 82 wt %, about 82 wt % to about 83 wt %,about 83 wt % to about 84 wt %, about 84 wt % to about 85 wt %, about 85wt % to about 86 wt %, about 86 wt % to about 87 wt %, about 87 wt % toabout 88 wt %, about 88 wt % to about 89 wt %, about 89 wt % to about 90wt %, about 90 wt % to about 91 wt %, about 91 wt % to about 92 wt %,about 92 wt % to about 93 wt %, about 93 wt % to about 94 wt %, about 94wt % to about 95 wt %, about 95 wt % to about 96 wt %, about 96 wt % toabout 97 wt %, about 97 wt % to about 98 wt %, about 98 wt % to about 99wt %, about 99 wt % to about 99.5 wt %, about 99.5 wt % to about 99.9 wt%, or any other value or range of values therein). In certainembodiments, the extractant comprises from about 95 wt % to about 99.9%wt % water.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, the extractantscomprise a polysaccharide that is guar gum and plant material that ishemp seed. In other embodiments of the present invention, theextractants comprise plant material that is hemp seed meal and does notcontain a polysaccharide other than that present in the hemp seed. Inother embodiments, the extractants optionally further comprise one ormore of water, isopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodiumhydroxide, and sodium chloride.

Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention extractants compriseabout 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plant material, 0 to about 2 wt % of apolysaccharide, 0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol, 0% to about 30 wt % ofa base, 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt, 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid,0% to about 30 wt % of an additive, and about 50 wt % to about 99.9 wt %water. In certain embodiments, the extractant comprises from about 0.1wt % to about 1 wt % of the plant material and 0 to about 1 wt % of thepolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the extractant comprises about0.1 wt % to about 0.5 wt % of the plant material and 0 to about 0.1 wt %of the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the plant material comprisesplant protein. In some embodiments, the plant proteins are prolamines.In some embodiments, the plant of the extractant is a cereal. In certainembodiments, the cereal is corn, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet,rye, triticale, fonio, buckwheat, wheat grass, wheat, spelt or quinoa.In certain embodiments, the cereal is corn. In other embodiments, theplant material is lentils (e.g., green, yellow, black), soybean, hempseed, chia, grass, wheat grass and barley (e.g., pearl, groat). In someembodiments, the polysaccharide of the extractant is alginate,carrageenan, gum Arabic, tragacanth gum, guar gum, pectin, ghatti gum,xanthan gum, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the extractantdoes not comprise polysaccharide other than that present in or derivedfrom the plant material. In certain embodiments, the extractant does notcomprise any of the aforementioned polysaccharides other than thatpresent in or derived from the plant material. In certain embodiments,the polysaccharide is about 0.05 wt % to about 0.2 wt % of theextractant. In some embodiments, the extractant does not comprisepolysaccharide.

In some embodiments, the extractant further comprises an alcohol. Incertain embodiments, the alcohol is ethanol, methanol, or isopropanol.In one embodiment, the alcohol is isopropanol. In some embodiments, thealcohol is about 0 wt % to about 1 wt % of the extractant. In someembodiments, the extractant does not comprise an alcohol.

In certain embodiments, the extractant further comprises a base. Inother embodiments, the base is an inorganic base or an inorganic base.In some embodiments, the inorganic base is an alkali metal or alkalineearth metal base. In certain embodiments, the inorganic base is sodiumhydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate,potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate,magnesium carbonate or calcium carbonate. In one embodiment, the base is0 wt % to about 1 wt % of the extractant. In some embodiments, theextractant does not comprise a base.

In certain embodiments, the extractant further comprises a salt. In someembodiments, the salt is sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calciumchloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide,potassium bromide, calcium bromide, magnesium bromide, ammonium bromide,sodium iodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide, magnesium iodide,ammonium iodide, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate,magnesium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate,magnesium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate or mixturesthereof. In certain embodiments, the salt is 0 wt % to about 1 wt % ofthe extractant. In some embodiments, the extractant does not comprise asalt.

In certain embodiments, the extractant further comprises an acid. Inother embodiments, the acids include inorganic acids. In certainembodiments, the inorganic acids include carbonic acid, sulfuric acid,or hydrochloric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is an organic acid.In certain embodiments, the acid is a C1-C20 organic acid. In otherembodiments, the acid is citric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, aceticacid, malic acid, adipic acid, tannic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid,or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the acid is citric acid. Incertain embodiments, the acid is 0 wt % to about 1 wt % of theextractant. In some embodiments, the extractant does not comprise anacid.

In some embodiments, the extractant further comprises an additive. Incertain embodiments, the additive is lime. In one embodiment, the limeis Type S Hydrated Lime. In some embodiments, the extractant does notcomprise an additive. In certain embodiments, the Type S Hydrated Limeis 0 wt % to about 1 wt % of the extractant. In some embodiments, theextractant does not comprise lime. In some embodiments, the extractantdoes not comprise S type hydrated lime. In certain embodiments, theextractant comprises about 95 wt % to about 99 wt % water. In someembodiments, the pH of the extractant is from about 5 to about 14. Incertain embodiments, the pH of the extractant is from about 6 to about8. In certain embodiments, the pH of the extractant ranges from about 5to about 13; from about 6 to about 13; from about 7 to about 13; fromabout 8 to about 13; from about 9 to about 13; from about 10 to about13; from about 11 to about 13; from about 12 to about 13. In certainembodiments, the extractant does not comprise a polysaccharide otherthan that present in or derived from the plant material. In oneembodiment, the extractant does not comprise a polysaccharide other thanthat derived from the plant material, the plant material is corn glutenmeal, and the aqueous composition further comprises isopropanol, citricacid, Type S hydrated lime, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride. Incertain embodiments, the aqueous composition does not comprise apolysaccharide other than that derived from the plant material, whereinthe plant material is hemp seed, and wherein the aqueous compositionoptionally further comprises one or more of isopropanol, citric acid,Type S hydrated lime, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride. In certainembodiments, the extractant further comprises a substrate. In someembodiments, the plant material of the present extractants is anacidified plant material. In other embodiments, the plant material ofthe present extractants is a basified plant material.

Preparation of the Extractants

The present extractants can be made by adding water to the aqueouscompositions of the invention as described herein. A desired waterpercentage of the present extractants can be selected in view of aparticular application, such as oil sand extraction, coal tarextraction, hydraulic fracturing, soil remediation, or spill cleanup asdescribed herein.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method formaking an extractant comprising about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of plantmaterial, 0 to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide, 0% to about 1 wt % ofan alcohol, 0% to about 30 wt % of a base, 0% to about 30 wt % of asalt, 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid, 0% to about 30 wt % of anadditive, and about 50 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water, comprising addingwater to an aqueous composition of the present invention in an amount offrom about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt %. In certain embodiments, themethod comprises preparing an extractant comprising about 0.1 wt % toabout 2 wt % of plant material, 0 to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide,0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol, 0% to about 10 wt % of a base, 0% toabout 10 wt % of a salt, 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid, 0% to about 10wt % of an additive, and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water,comprising adding water to a substantially anhydrous composition asdescribed herein in an amount of from about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt %.In some embodiments, one or more additives may be added after addingwater to the aqueous composition.

Substantially Anhydrous Compositions

The present aqueous compositions or extractants can be dried to form asubstantially anhydrous composition. “Substantially anhydrous” meansthat the compositions comprise no more than about 10% water; in anotherembodiment, no more than about 5% water; in another embodiment, no morethan about 2% water; in another embodiment, no more than about 1% waterby weight of the composition; in another embodiment, no more than about0.5% water by weight of the composition; and in another embodiment, nomore than about 0.1% by weight of the composition.

Thus, in another aspect, the present invention relates to substantiallyanhydrous compositions comprising: about 20 wt % to about 99.9 wt % ofplant material; 0 to about 20 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt% of an alcohol; 0% to about 30 wt % of a base; 0% to about 50 wt % of asalt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 30 wt % of anadditive; and 0% to about 10 wt % water; 0% to about 30 wt % of a sugar;wherein the plant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, the plant material of the presentanhydrous compositions is an acidified plant material. In otherembodiments, the plant material of the present anhydrous compositions isa basified plant material.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides substantiallyanhydrous compositions comprising about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % ofplant material; 0% to about 2 wt % of a polysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt% of an alcohol; 0% to about 10 wt % of a base; 0% to about 10 wt % of asalt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid; 0% to about 10 wt % of anadditive; and about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water. In yet anotherembodiment, the substantially anhydrous composition comprises about 20wt % to about 99.9 wt % of plant material; 0 to about 20 wt % of apolysaccharide; 0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol; 0% to about 15 wt % ofa base; 0% to about 10 wt % of a salt; 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid;0% to about 10 wt % of an additive; and 0% to about 10 wt % water.

The plant material and, if present, the polysaccharide of the presentsubstantially anhydrous compositions can be present in relative amountssuch that they form a complex. Polysaccharides that are useful in thepresent substantially anhydrous compositions include those as describedherein. In some embodiments, the present substantially anhydrouscompositions do not comprise polysaccharide other than that derived fromthe plant material. In other embodiments, the present substantiallyanhydrous compositions do not comprise polysaccharide.

The polysaccharide can be present in the substantially anhydrouscompositions in an amount ranging from about 0 to about 20 wt % (e.g., 0to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %,about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt %to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 11 wt %,about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 13wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % toabout 16 wt %, about 16 wt % about 17 wt %, about 17 wt % to about 18 wt%, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19 wt % to about 20 wt %, orany other value or range of values therein). In some embodiments, thepolysaccharide is present in an amount of from 0 wt % to about 10 wt %.In other embodiments, the present substantially anhydrous compositionsdo not comprise a polysaccharide other than that present in or derivedfrom the plant material. When present, polysaccharides that are usefulin the present substantially anhydrous compositions include those asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the plant material is present in the substantiallyanhydrous compositions in an amount ranging from about 20 wt % to about99.9 wt % (e.g., about 20 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about30 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 35 wt % to about 40 wt %,about 40 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 45 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 50wt % to about 55 wt %, about 55 wt % to about 60 wt %, about 60 wt % toabout 65 wt %, about 65 wt % to about 70 wt %, about 70 wt % to about 75wt %, about 75 wt % to about 80 wt %, about 80 wt % to about 85 wt %,about 85 wt % to about 90 wt %, about 90 wt % to about 91 wt %, about 91wt % to about 92 wt %, about 92 wt % to about 93 wt %, about 93 wt % toabout 94 wt %, about 94 wt % to about 95 wt %, about 95 wt % to about 96wt %, about 96 wt % to about 97 wt %, about 97 wt % to about 98 wt %,about 98 wt % to about 99 wt %, about 99 wt % to about 99.5 wt %, about99.5 wt % to about 99.9 wt %, or any other value or range of valuestherein). Plant materials which are in the present substantiallyanhydrous compositions include those as described herein. In someembodiments, the plant material is present in an amount of from about 85wt % to about 99.9 wt %. In certain embodiments, the plant material ispresent in an amount of from about 95 wt % to about 99.9 wt %. In someembodiments, the plant material comprises a plant protein.

The present substantially anhydrous compositions can further comprise anacid or a base. Acids and bases useful in the present substantiallyanhydrous compositions are those as described herein. The acid can bepresent in the substantially anhydrous compositions in an amount from 0wt % to about 10 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % toabout 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt%, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 5wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7 wt % toabout 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 10 wt%, or any other value or range of values therein). In some embodiments,the acid is present from about 0.01 wt % to about 2 wt % of thesubstantially anhydrous compositions. In some embodiments, thesubstantially anhydrous compositions do not comprise an acid.

The base can present in the substantially anhydrous compositions in anamount from 0 wt % to about 50 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about0.5 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % toabout 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt%, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % toabout 10 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 20wt %, about 20 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 30 wt %,about 30 wt % to about 35 wt %, about 35 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 40wt % to about 45 wt %, about 45 wt % to about 50 wt %, or any othervalue or range of values therein). In some embodiments, the base ispresent from about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt % of the substantiallyanhydrous compositions.

The substantially anhydrous compositions can also comprise a salt. Saltsuseful in the substantially anhydrous compositions are those asdescribed herein. The salt can be present in the substantially anhydrouscompositions in an amount from 0 wt % to about 50 wt % (e.g., 0 to about0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %,about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt %to about 5 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7wt %, about 7 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about9 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt %to about 13 wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about15 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 17 wt %,about 17 wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19wt % to about 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21 wt % toabout 22 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % to about 24wt %, about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26 wt %,about 26 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %, about 28wt % to about 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 30 wt % toabout 31 wt %, about 31 wt % to about 32 wt %, about 32 wt % to about 33wt %, about 33 wt % to about 34 wt %, about 34 wt % to about 35 wt %,about 35 wt % to about 36 wt %, about 36 wt % to about 37 wt %, about 37wt % to about 38 wt %, about 38 wt % to about 39 wt %, about 39 wt % toabout 40 wt %, about 40 wt % to about 41 wt %, about 41 wt % to about 42wt %, about 42 wt % to about 43 wt %, about 43 wt % to about 44 wt %,about 44 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 45 wt % to about 46 wt %, about 46wt % to about 47 wt %, about 47 wt % to about 48 wt %, about 48 wt % toabout 49 wt %, about 49 wt % to about 50 wt %, or any other value orrange of values therein). In some embodiments, the salt is present fromabout 0.01 wt % to about 1 wt % of the substantially anhydrouscompositions. In some embodiments, the substantially anhydrouscompositions do not comprise a salt.

As stated herein, the substantially anhydrous compositions can comprisewater. The amount of water in the substantially anhydrous compositionscan range from 0 to about 10 wt % (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % toabout 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt%, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % toabout 10 wt %, or any other value or range of values therein). Incertain embodiments, the substantially anhydrous compositions compriseless than about 5 wt % water (e.g., less than about 4 wt %, less thanabout 3 wt %, less than about 2 wt %, less than about 1 wt % less thanabout 0.9 wt %, less than about 0.8 wt %, less than about 0.7 wt %, lessthan about 0.6 wt %, less than about 0.5 wt %, less than about 0.4 wt %,less than about 0.3 wt %, less than about 0.2 wt %, less than about 0.1wt %, or any other value or range of values therein or therebelow).

The substantially anhydrous compositions can further comprise an organicsolvent. Organic solvents which can be present in the substantiallyanhydrous compositions include those described herein. The amount oforganic solvent, if present, can be in an amount of 0 wt % to about 1 wt% (e.g., 0 to about 0.05 wt %, about 0.05 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, about0.1 wt % to about 0.2 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, about 0.3wt % to about 0.4 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, about 0.5 wt %to about 0.6 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 0.7 wt %, about 0.7 wt % toabout 0.8 wt %, about 0.8 wt % to about 0.9 wt %, about 0.9 wt % toabout 1.0 wt %, or any other value or range of values therein). Incertain embodiments, the substantially anhydrous compositions do notcomprise organic solvent.

The substantially anhydrous compositions can also comprise one or moreother additives. Additives that which can be present in thesubstantially anhydrous compositions include those described herein. Theadditive(s) can be present in the substantially anhydrous compositionsin amounts ranging from 0 to about 30% (e.g., 0 to about 0.5 wt %, about0.5 wt % to about 1 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 2 wt % toabout 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 5 wt%, about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 7 wt %, about 7wt % to about 8 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 9 wt %, about 9 wt % toabout 10 wt %, about 11 wt % to about 12 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 13wt %, about 13 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 15 wt %,about 15 wt % to about 16 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 17 wt %, about 17wt % to about 18 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 19 wt % toabout 20 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 21 wt %, about 21 wt % to about 22wt %, about 22 wt % to about 23 wt %, about 23 wt % to about 24 wt %,about 24 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 26 wt %, about 26wt % to about 27 wt %, about 27 wt % to about 28 wt %, about 28 wt % toabout 29 wt %, about 29 wt % to about 30 wt %, or any other value orrange of values therein). In certain embodiments, the additive is Type-Shydrated lime. In some embodiments, the substantially anhydrouscompositions do not comprise an additive. In some embodiments, thesubstantially anhydrous compositions do not comprise lime.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, the substantiallyanhydrous compositions comprise a polysaccharide that is guar gum andplant material that is hemp seed. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, the substantially anhydrous compositions comprise plantmaterial that is hemp seed and do not comprise a polysaccharide otherthan that present in or derived from the hemp seed. In otherembodiments, the substantially anhydrous compositions comprise one ormore of water, isopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodiumhydroxide, and sodium chloride.

Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention providessubstantially anhydrous compositions comprising about 20 wt % to about99.9 wt % of plant material, 0 to about 20 wt %, of a polysaccharide, 0%to about 1 wt % of an alcohol, 0% to about 50 wt % of a base, 0% toabout 50 wt % of a salt, 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid, 0% to about 30wt % of an additive, and 0% to about 10 wt % water. In certainembodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition comprises about 85wt % to about 99.9 wt % of the plant material and 0 to about 10 wt % ofthe polysaccharide. In other embodiments, the substantially anhydrouscomposition of comprises about 95 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of the plantmaterial and 0 to about 5 wt % of the polysaccharide. In certainembodiments, plant is a cereal. In other embodiments, the cereal iscorn, rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, rye, triticale, fonio,buckwheat, spelt or quinoa. In certain embodiments, the cereal is corn.In some embodiments, the plant material is corn gluten meal. In someembodiments, the plant material is soybean or hemp seed. In certainembodiments, the plant is cotton. In some embodiments the plant materialcomprises a plant protein. In other embodiments, the plant protein isprolamine, zein, hordein, or gliadin.

In some embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition comprises apolysaccharide which is alginate, carrageenan, gum Arabic, tragacanthgum, guar gum, pectin, ghatti gum, xanthan gum, or mixtures thereof. Inother embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition does notcomprise one or more of the aforementioned polysaccharides. In certainembodiments, the polysaccharide is 0 wt % to about 20 wt % of thesubstantially anhydrous composition. In other embodiments, thesubstantially anhydrous composition does not comprise polysaccharideother than that present in or derived from the plant material. In someembodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition further comprisesan alcohol. In one embodiments, the alcohol is ethanol, methanol, orisopropanol. In other embodiments, the alcohol is isopropanol. Incertain embodiments, the alcohol is about 0 wt % to about 1 wt % of thesubstantially anhydrous composition. In some embodiments, substantiallyanhydrous composition does not comprise an alcohol.

In certain embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition furthercomprises a base. In some embodiments, the base is an inorganic base oran inorganic base. In certain embodiments, inorganic base is an alkalimetal or alkaline earth metal base. In certain embodiments, theinorganic base is sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, or potassiumhydroxide. In certain embodiments, the base is 0 wt % to about 10 wt %of the substantially anhydrous composition. In some embodiments,substantially anhydrous composition does not comprise a base.

In certain embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition furthercomprises a salt. In some embodiments, the salt is sodium chloride,potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammoniumchloride, sodium bromide, potassium bromide, calcium bromide, magnesiumbromide, ammonium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium iodide, calciumiodide, magnesium iodide, ammonium iodide, sodium sulfate, potassiumsulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, potassiumnitrate, calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ormixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the salt is 0 wt % to about 10wt % of the substantially anhydrous composition. In some embodiments,substantially anhydrous composition does not comprise a salt.

In some embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition furthercomprises an acid. In other embodiments, the acids include inorganicacids. In certain embodiments, the inorganic acids include carbonicacid, sulfuric acid, or hydrochloric acid. In some embodiments, the acidis an organic acid. In certain embodiments, the acid is a C1-C20 organicacid. In certain embodiments, the acid is citric acid, formic acid,ascorbic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, adipic acid, tannic acid, lacticacid, fumaric acid, or mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, the acidis citric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is 0 wt % to about 10 wt %of the substantially anhydrous composition. In some embodiments,substantially anhydrous composition does not comprise an acid.

In certain embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition furthercomprises an additive. In some embodiments, the additive is lime. Incertain embodiments, the lime is Type S Hydrated Lime. In certainembodiments, the Type S Hydrated Lime is 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of thesubstantially anhydrous composition. In some embodiments, substantiallyanhydrous composition does not comprise an additive. In someembodiments, substantially anhydrous composition does not comprise lime.

In some embodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition comprises 0wt % to about 10 wt % water. In other embodiments, the substantiallyanhydrous composition comprises 0 wt % to about 1 wt % water. In someembodiments, the substantially anhydrous composition does not comprise apolysaccharide other than the present in or derived from the plantmaterial. In some embodiments, the plant material of the presentsubstantially anhydrous composition is an acidified plant material. Inother embodiments, the plant material of the present substantiallyanhydrous composition is a basified plant material.

Preparation of the Substantially Anhydrous Compositions

The aqueous compositions or extractants described herein can bedehydrated to form the present substantially anhydrous compositions. Thesubstantially anhydrous compositions can later be reconstituted with asuitable solvent as described herein to provide the aqueous compositionsor extractants. This allows for preparation of substantially anhydrouscompositions, which can be easier and or less costly to handle, maintainor store. For example, once the present aqueous compositions orextractants as described herein have been prepared, their solvent can beremoved to yield a substantially anhydrous composition. In preparing thepresent substantially anhydrous compositions, an acid or base asdescribed herein can be added to adjust the pH prior to solvent removal.For example, the pH can be adjusted to from about 5 to about 14 (e.g.,from about 5 to about 6, from about 6 to about 7, from about 7 to about8, from about 8 to about 9, from about 9 to about 10, from about 10 toabout 11, from about 11 to about 12, from about 12 to about 13, fromabout 13 to about 14, or any other value or range of values therein).

Any number of solvent removal techniques useful for obtaining asubstantially anhydrous composition, e.g., from a Composition of theInvention can be used to prepare the prepare the substantially anhydrouscompositions, including, but not limited to, vacuum drying,centrifugation, evaporation, freeze drying, air drying, lyophilization,convection oven drying or a combination thereof. One method for removingthe solvent is vacuum drying, which safely removes and recovers thesolvent while drying the product to provide the present substantiallyanhydrous compositions. The substantially anhydrous compositions can befurther processed by grinding or milling to a desired mesh particlesize. The substantially anhydrous compositions can also be subjected toparticle-size reduction to form, for example, powders. The substantiallyanhydrous compositions can be subsequently admixed with water or organicsolvent and one more more additive, e.g., salt, sugar, a solvent, asurfactant, to provide a reconstituted aqueous composition or extractantfor immediate or later use,

Thus, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofmaking a substantially anhydrous composition comprising about 20 wt % toabout 99.9 wt % of plant material, 0 to about 20 wt %, of apolysaccharide, 0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol, 0% to about 50 wt % ofa base, 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt, 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid,0% to about 30 wt % of an additive, and 0% to about 10 wt % water,comprising removing water from an aqueous composition of the presentinvention. In certain embodiments, removing water comprises drying. Incertain embodiments, drying comprises heating the aqueous composition orsubjecting the aqueous composition to reduced pressure. In someembodiments, the invention provides a method of making a substantiallyanhydrous composition comprising about 20 wt % to about 99.9 wt % ofplant material, 0 to about 20 wt %, of a polysaccharide, 0% to about 1wt % of an alcohol, 0% to about 50 wt % of a base, 0% to about 30 wt %of a salt, 0% to about 10 wt % of an acid, 0% to about 30 wt % of anadditive, and 0% to about 10 wt % water, comprising removing water froman extractant of the present invention. In some embodiments, removingwater from the extractant comprises drying the extractant. In someembodiments, drying comprises heating the extractant or subjecting theextractant to reduced pressure.

Cosmetic Compositions

In another aspect of the present invention, a Composition of theInvention is useful as a cosmetic composition and optionally comprises acosmetically acceptable vehicle. A cosmetic Composition of the Inventioncan be in the form of a skin-care or dermo-pharmaceutical composition(e.g., toiletries, health and beauty aids and cosmeceuticals) used forcosmetic and personal care applications, such as for cosmetic purposes,purposes of hygiene or skin-care, or as a basis for delivery of one ormore pharmaceutical ingredients. In some embodiments, a cosmeticComposition of the Invention is used for two or more of these purposes.For example, a medicated dandruff shampoo may be used as a personal careproduct, i.e., to provide clean hair, and at the same time havepharmacological properties.

The cosmetically acceptable vehicle may act as a diluent, dispersant orcarrier of a Composition of the Invention. The cosmetically acceptablevehicle may facilitate distribution of Composition of the Invention whenthe composition is applied to the skin or hair. The vehicle may beaqueous, anhydrous, a gel, or an emulsion. In one embodiment, a cosmeticComposition of the Invention is aqueous or an emulsion, such as awater-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion. Relatively volatile solvents mayalso serve as a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

In some embodiments, the cosmetically acceptable vehicle comprisesmonohydric C₁-C₃ alkanols. These include ethyl alcohol, methyl alcoholand isopropyl alcohol. The amount of monohydric alkanol may range from 1to 70%, from 10 to 50%, or between 15 and 40% by weight of thecosmetically acceptable vehicle or cosmetic Composition of theInvention.

Emollient materials may also serve as cosmetically acceptable vehicles.These may be in the form of silicone oils and synthetic esters. Amountsof the emollients may range anywhere from 0.1 to 50%, such as between 1and 20% by weight of the cosmetically acceptable vehicle or cosmeticComposition of the Invention. Silicone oils may be cyclic or linearpolydimethylsiloxanes and may contain from 3 to 9, or from 4 to 5,silicon atoms. Linear silicone materials typically have viscosities lessthan about 5 centistokes at 25° C., while cyclic materials typicallyhave viscosities of less than about 10 centistokes. Silicone oils usefulthat may be used as an emollient material include polyalkyl siloxanes,polyalkylaryl siloxanes and polyether siloxane copolymers. Polyalkylsiloxanes include polydimethyl siloxanes with viscosities of from about5 to about 25 million centistokes at 25° C. Emollients useful in thepresent compositions can also be polydimethyl siloxanes havingviscosities from about 10 to about 400 centistokes at 25° C.

The emollient can be a stearate, such as PEG-40 stearate, glycerylsteatrate, sorbitan tristearate, stearyl alcohol or mixtures thereof. Insome embodiments, the stearate is glyceryl stearate. In still otherembodiments, the emollient is a vegetable or animal fat or oil, such ascastor oil, hydrogenated castor oil, cocoa butter, safflower oil,cottonseed oil, corn oil, olive oil, cod liver oil, almond oil, avocadooil, palm oil, sesame oil, squalene, phytosqalene, kikui oil, chamomillarecutita (matricaria) flower oil, hypericum perforatum oil, soybean oilor vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil. The emolliant may also be anacetoglyceride ester, such as acetylated monoglycerides; an alkyl esterof fatty acids having 10 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, isopropyl,and butyl esters of fatty acids, such as hexyl laurate, isohexyllaurate, ethylhexyl palmitate, isohexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate,octyl palmitate, decyloleate, isodecyl oleate, hexadecyl stearate decylstearate, isopropyl isostearate, diisopropyl adipate, diisohexyladipate, dihexyldecyl adipate, diisopropyl sebacate, lauryl lactate,myristyl lactate, and cetyl lactate; an alkenyl ester of fatty acidshaving 10 to 20 carbon atoms such as oleyl myristate, oleyl stearate,and oleyl oleate; a fatty acid having 10 to 20 carbon atoms such aspelargonic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, isostearic,hydroxystearic, oleic, linoleic, ricinoleic, arachidic, behenic, anderucic acids; a fatty alcohol having 10 to 20 carbon atoms such aslauryl, myristyl, cetyl, hexadecyl, stearyl, isostearyl, hydroxystearyl,oleyl, ricinoleyl, behenyl, erucyl, and 2-octyl dodecanyl alcohols; afatty alcohol ether such as propoxylated fatty alcohols of 10 to 20carbon atoms, such as lauryl, cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl, andcholesterol alcohols, having attached thereto from 1 to 50 propyleneoxide groups; a lanolin or lanolin derivative, such as lanolin, lanolinoil, lanolin wax, lanolin alcohols, lanolin fatty acids, isopropyllanolate, ethoxylated lanolin, ethoxylated lanolin alcohols, ethoxylatedcholesterol, propoxylated lanolin alcohols, acetylated lanolin alcohols,lanolin alcohols linoleate, lanolin alcohols ricinoleate, acetate oflanolin alcohols ricinoleate, acetate of ethoxylated alcohols-esters,hydrogenolysis of lanolin, ethoxylated sorbitol lanolin, and liquid andsemisolid lanolin absorption base; a polyhydric alcohol ester, such asethylene glycol mono and di-fatty acid esters, diethylene glycol mono-and di-fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol (200-6000) mono- anddi-fatty acid esters, propylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters,polypropylene glycol 2000 monooleate, polypropylene glycol 2000monostearate, glyceryl mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyglycerolpolyfatty esters, ethoxylated glyceryl monostearate, 1,2-butylene glycolmonostearate, 1,2-butylene glycol distearate, polyoxyethylene polyolfatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylenesorbitan fatty acid esters.

Wax esters, such as beeswax, spermaceti, myristyl myristate, stearylstearate; vegetable waxes, such as carnauba and candelilla waxes;surface active silicone derivatives, such as cyclopentasiloxanePEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, dimethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer,cyclomethicone, cyclomethicone and dimethiconol; caprylic/caprictriglycerides; and cholesterol fatty acid esters, can also be used as acosmetically acceptable vehicle. The cosmetically acceptable vehicle canalso be cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cetyl alcohol, ceteth-20 (apolyethylene glycol derivative of cetyl alcohol), cetearyl olivate,cetyl palmitate, sorbitan olivate, sorbitan palmitate, stearates,steareth-20 (polyethylene glycol ethers of stearic acid-octadecylpolyoxyethylene ether), steareth-25 or mixtures thereof.

Humectants may also be utilized as a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.The humectant can aid in increasing the effectiveness of the emollient,such as by providing skin benefits. The humectant may be a polyhydricalcohol. Polyhydric alcohols include glycerol, polyalkylene glycols,such as alkylene polyols and their derivatives, including propyleneglycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycoland derivatives thereof, sorbitol, hydroxypropyl sorbitol, hexyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, ethoxylated glycerol,propoxylated glycerol and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, thehumectant is propylene glycol or sodium hyaluronate. The amount ofhumectant may range anywhere from 0.5 to 30%, such as between 1 and 15%by weight of the cosmetically acceptable vehicle or cosmetic Compositionof the Invention.

Thickeners may also be utilized as part of the cosmetically acceptablevehicle. Thickeners include crosslinked acrylates (e.g. Carbopol 982),hydrophobically-modified acrylates (e.g. Carbopol 1382), cellulosicderivatives and natural gums. Among cellulosic derivatives are sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and hydroxymethylcellulose. Natural gums suitable for the present invention include guar,xanthan, sclerotium, carrageenan, pectin and combinations of these gums.Amounts of the thickener may range from 0.0001 to 5%, such as from 0.001to 1% or from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of the cosmetically acceptablevehicle or cosmetic Composition of the Invention.

Collectively, the water, solvents, silicones, esters, fatty acids,humectants and/or thickeners may constitute the cosmetically acceptablevehicle in amounts from 1 to 99.9%, such as from 80 to 99% by weight.The cosmetically acceptable vehicle may constitute between about 0.05 to15% of the total weight of the cosmetic Composition of the Invention. Insome embodiments, the cosmetically acceptable vehicle constitutesbetween 0.05% and 10% or between 0.05% and 8%, or between 0.05% and 7%,or between 0.05% and 6%, or between 0.05% and 5% of the total weight ofthe cosmetic Composition of the Invention. Variations and otherappropriate vehicles will be apparent to the skilled artisan and areappropriate for use in the present invention.

In some embodiments, a cosmetic Composition of the Invention cancomprise an anti-acne agent, anti-aging agent, antibacterial agent,anti-viral agent, anticoagulant, anti-platelet agent, anti-cellulitesagent, antidandruff agent, antifungal agent, anti-inflammatory agent,anti-irritation agent, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant agent,antiperspirant agent, antiseptic agent, cell stimulant, cleansing agent,conditioner, deodorant, depilatory, detergent, exfoliant, glosser, hairconditioner, hair set resin, hair sheen agent, hair waving agent,humectant, moisturizer, ointment base, perfume, skin calming agent, skincleanser, skin conditioner, skin healing agent, skin lightening agent,skin protectant, skin smoothing agent, skin softening agent, skinsoothing agent, sunscreen agent, tanning accelerator, or vitamin, suchas those described in the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association(CTFA) Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook (Second Edition, Eds. John A.Wenninger and Gerald N. McEwen, Washington, D.C., 1992; see also CTFACosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 4th Edition, Washington, D.C., 1991;International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary & Handbook, 14th Edition,2012, published by the Personal Care Products Council, each of which areincorporated by reference in its entirety).

Thus, in some embodiments, a cosmetic Composition of the Invention cancomprise an ingredient from the CTFA Handbook. The ingredient can befrom ingredient classes that include: fragrances (artificial andnatural), dyes and color ingredients (e.g. Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake, Red 40,titanium dioxide, D&C blue no. 4, D&C green no. 5, D&C orange no. 4, D&Cred no. 17, D&C red no. 33, D&C violet no. 2, D&C yellow no. 10, and D&Cyellow no. 11), adsorbents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, lubricants,solvents, moisturizers (e.g. emollients, humectants, film formers,occlusive agents, and agents that affect the natural moisturizationmechanisms of the skin), water-repellants, UV absorbers (physical andchemical absorbers such as paraminobenzoic acid (“PABA”) andcorresponding PABA derivatives, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), essentialoils, vitamins (e.g. A, B, C, D, E, and K), trace metals (e.g. zinc,calcium and selenium), anti-irritants (e.g. steroids and non-steroidalanti-inflammatories), botanical extracts (e.g. aloe vera, chamomile,cucumber extract, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and rosemary), anti-microbialagents, antioxidants (e.g. BHT), chelating agents (e.g. disodium EDTAand tetrasodium EDTA), preservatives (e.g. methylparaben andpropylparaben), pH adjusters (e.g. sodium hydroxide and citric acid),absorbents (e.g. aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, kaolin, corn starch,oat starch, cyclodextrin, talc, and zeolite), skin bleaching andlightening agents (e.g. hydroquinone and niacinamide lactate),humectants (e.g. propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol,sorbitol, urea, and manitol), exfoliants (e.g. alpha-hydroxyacids, andbeta-hydroxyacids such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylicacid; and salts thereof) waterproofing agents (e.g. magnesium/aluminumhydroxide stearate), skin conditioning agents (e.g. aloe extracts,allantoin, bisabolol, ceramides, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, anddipotassium glycyrrhizate), thickening agents (e.g. substances whichthat can increase the viscosity of a composition such as carboxylic acidpolymers, crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, polyacrylamide polymers,polysaccharides, and gums), and silicone containing compounds (e.g.silicone oils and polyorganosiloxanes).

Various types of additional ingredients may be present in a cosmeticComposition of the Invention, such as an anti-sebum agent (e.g. talc orsilica), anti-perspirant agent (e.g. astringent salt), or anti-agingagent (e.g. retinoid). The astringent salt may be an inorganic ororganic salt of aluminum, zirconium, zinc or mixtures thereof. The saltcan be an aluminum complex, such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminumhalides, aluminum hydroxyhalides, zirconyl oxyhalides, zirconylhydroxyhalides or mixtures of these salt materials. For example, thesalt can be aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminumchlorohydrex, aluminum chlorohydrex PEG, aluminum chlorohydrex PG,aluminum dichlorohydrate, aluminum dichlorohydrex PEG, aluminumdichlorohydrex PG, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, aluminumsesquichlorohydrex PEG, aluminum sesquichlorohydrex PG, aluminumsulfate, aluminum zirconium octachlorohydrate, aluminum zirconiumoctachlorohydrex GLY (abbreviation for glycine), aluminum zirconiumpentachlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium pentachlorohydrex GLY, aluminumzirconium tetrachlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrate,aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrate GLY, and aluminum zirconiumtrichlorohydrate GLY. Amounts of the salt may range from about 0.000001%to about 20%, from about 0.10% to about 18%, from about 1 to about 15%,or about 2% to about 3% by weight of the cosmetic Composition of theInvention.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention may also include a retinoid.Retinoids can increase collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts,resulting in protection from sun damage and smoothening of wrinkledskin. The retinoid can be a retinoic acid, retinol, retinal, or retinylester, such as 13-cis retinoic acid, all-trans retinoic acid,all-trans-retinol, 13-cis-retinol, 11-cis-retinol, 9-cis-retinol,3,4-didehydro-retinol. Preferred isomers are all-trans-retinol,13-cis-retinol, 3,4-didehydro-retinol, and 9-cis-retinol. Retinyl estersthat can be included in a cosmetic Composition of the Invention includeC₁-C₃₀ esters of retinol, such as C₂-C₂₀ esters, such as C₂, C₃, or C₁₆esters. Examples of retinyl esters include retinyl palmitate, retinylformate, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinyl butyrate, retinylvalerate, retinyl isovalerate, retinyl hexanoate, retinyl heptanoate,retinyl octanoate, retinyl nonanoate, retinyl decanoate, retinylundecandate, retinyl laurate, retinyl tridecanoate, retinyl myristate,retinyl pentadecanoate, retinyl heptadecanoate, retinyl stearate,retinyl isostearate, retinyl nonadecanoate, retinyl arachidonate,retinyl behenate, retinyl linoleate, retinyl oleate, retinyl lactate,retinyl glycolate, retinyl hydroxy caprylate, retinyl hydroxy laurate,retinyl tartarate. The retinoids may present in an amount of from 0.001%to 10%, such as from 0.01% to 1% or from 0.01% to 0.05% weight of acosmetic Composition of the Invention.

A beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, or zinc pyrithione can also be usedin a cosmetic Composition of the Invention.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can have UVA and UVB absorptionproperties, such as by comprising a UV absorption agent. A cosmeticComposition of the Invention can also comprise a sunscreen agent.Examples of UV absorption and sunscreen agents include para-aminobenzoicacid (PABA), PABA esters (e.g. glyceryl PABA, amyldimethyl PABA andoctyldimethyl PABA), butyl PABA, ethyl PABA, ethyl dihydroxypropyl PABA,benzophenones (e.g. xybenzone, sulisobenzone, benzophenone, andbenzophenone-1 through 12), cinnamates (e.g. octyl methoxycinnamate,isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, octylmethoxy cinnamate, cinoxate,diisopropyl methyl cinnamate, DEA-methoxycinnamate, ethyldiisopropylcinnamate, glyceryl octanoate dimethoxycinnamate and ethylmethoxycinnamate), cinnamate esters, salicylates (e.g. homomethylsalicylate, benzyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, isopropylbenzylsalicylate), anthranilates, ethyl urocanate, homosalate, octisalate,dibenzoylmethane derivatives, octyl triazone, digalloy trioleate,glyceryl aminobenzoate, lawsone with dihydroxyacetone, ethylhexyltriazone, dioctyl butamido triazone, benzylidene malonate polysiloxane,terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, disodium phenyldibenzimidazole tetrasulfonate, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexylbenzoate, bis diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl benzoate, bisbenzoxazoylphenyl ethylhexylimino triazine, drometrizole trisiloxane,methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, andbis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyltriazine,4-methylbenzylidenecamphor, and isopentyl 4-methoxycinnamate. Otherexamples include kaolin, talc, petrolatum and metal oxides (e.g.titanium dioxide and zinc oxide). The amount of sunscreen in a cosmeticComposition of the Invention can vary depending upon the degree ofprotection desired from the sun's UV radiation.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can also comprise anantioxidant, such as acetyl cysteine, ascorbic acid polypeptide,ascorbyl dipalmitate, ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, ascorbylpalmitate, ascorbyl stearate, BHA, BHT, t-butyl hydroquinone, cysteine,cysteine HCl, diamylhydroquinone, di-t-butylhydroquinone, dicetylthiodipropionate, dioleyl tocopheryl methylsilanol, disodium ascorbylsulfate, distearyl thiodipropionate, ditridecyl thiodipropionate,dodecyl gallate, erythorbic acid, esters of ascorbic acid, ethylferulate, ferulic acid, gallic acid esters, hydroquinone, isooctylthioglycolate, kojic acid, magnesium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbylphosphate, methylsilanol ascorbate, natural botanical anti-oxidants suchas green tea or grape seed extracts, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, octylgallate, phenylthioglycolic acid, potassium ascorbyl tocopherylphosphate, potassium sulfite, propyl gallate, quinones, rosmarinic acid,sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfate, sodium erythorbate, sodiummetabisulfite, sodium sulfite, superoxide dismutase, sodiumthioglycolate, sorbityl furfural, thiodiglycol, thiodiglycolamide,thiodiglycolic acid, thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, thiosalicylicacid, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12, tocophereth-18,tocophereth-50, tocophersolan, tocopheryl linoleate, tocopherylnicotinate, tocopheryl succinate, or tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can also comprise apreservative. Suitable preservatives may include alkyl esters ofp-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydantoin derivatives, propionate salts, and avariety of quaternary ammonium compounds. Other preservatives that maybe used includee methyl paraben, propyl paraben, phenoxyethanol orbenzyl alcohol. Preservatives may be in amounts ranging from about 0.1%to 2% by weight of the cosmetic Composition of the Invention.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can comprise an anti-microbialagent. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial is a bacteriostatic orbactericidal agent, such as Asiatic acid, the monoethanolamine salt of1-hydroxy-4-methyl 6-trimethylpentyl-2-pyridone; citronellic acid,perillic acid; glyceryl 2-ethylhexyl ether; glyceryl caprylate/caprate;sodium calcium phosphosilicate; silver-based particles; hop coneextract; St.-John's Wort extract; the mixture of extracts of roots ofScutellaria baicalensis, of Paeonia suffruticosa and Glycyrrhiza glabra;argan tree extract; bearberry leaf extracts; 10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid,sodium ursolate, azelaic acid, diiodomethyl p-tolyl sulfone, malachitepowder, zinc oxide, octadecenedioic acid; ellagic acid;2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Triclosan);2,4-dichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether, 3′,4′,5′-trichlorosalicylanilide,1-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4′-chlorophenyl)urea (Triclocarban);1-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4′-chlorophenyl)urea;3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide; 3′,4′,5′-trichlorosalicylanilide,phenoxyethanol, phenoxypropanol, phenoxyisopropanol, hexamidineisethionate, metronidazole and salts thereof, miconazole and saltsthereof, itraconazole, terconazole, econazole, ketoconazole,saperconazole, fluconazole, clotrimazole, butoconazole, oxiconazole,sulfaconazole, sulconazole, terbinafine, ciclopirox, ciclopiroxolamine,undecylenic acid and salts thereof, benzoyl peroxide, 3-hydroxybenzoicacid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, phytic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, lipoicacid, azelaic acid and salts thereof, arachidonic acid, resorcinol,3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanalide, octoxyglycerine, octanoylglycine, caprylylglycol, 10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid, dichlorophenylimidazoldioxolane andderivatives thereof, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate,3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,5,10-trienol (Farnesol), phytosphingosines;quaternary ammonium salts, cetylpyridinium salts, sodiumcocoamphoacetate, disodium diacetate, betaines, sodium lauryl ethersulfate, decyl glucoside, branched C₁₂₋₁₃ dialkyl malates, propyleneglycol monoesters, lauryldimethylamine betaine, polyquaternaryammoniums, quaternary ammonium salts, for instancecetyltrimethylammonium salts or cetylpyridinium salts; chlorhexidine andsalts; diglyceryl monocaprate, diglyceryl monolaurate or glycerylmonolaurate; polyhexamethylene biguanide salts; or mixtures thereof.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can also comprise a moisturizingagent. The moisturizing agent can facilitate hydration of the skin byinhibiting or preventing loss of water from the skin, absorbing waterfrom the atmosphere and hydrating the skin, or enhancing the skin's ownability to absorb water directly from the atmosphere, or a combinationthereof. Suitable moisturizing agents may include hydrophobic agents,hydrophilic agents, and combinations thereof.

Examples of moisturizing agents that are hydrophobic include ceramide,borage oil (linoleic acid), tocopherol (Vitamin E), tocopherollinoleate, dimethicone, glycerine, and mixtures thereof. Examples ofmoisturizing agents that are hydrophilic agents include hyaluronic acid,sodium peroxylinecarbolic acid (sodium PCA), wheat protein (e.g.,laurdimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed wheat protein), and mixturesthereof. Other moisturizing agents include panthenol; primrose oil; GLA3 and other fish oils that may include, for example, the omega-3 andomega-6 oils and/or linoleic acid; and flax seed oil.

In another embodiment, a cosmetic Composition of the Invention comprisesan exfoliant. The exfoliant may be a mechanical or chemical exfoliant.The exfoliant may be an enzymatic exfoliant, such as fruit enzymes.Examples of enzymatic exfoliants include papain, from papaya, andbromalein, from pineapple. The exfoliant may be an acidic exfoliant,such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, alphahydroxy acid, or beta hydroxyl acid.

In certain aspects, the concentrations and combinations of theingredients of a cosmetic Composition of the Invention is selected suchthat the concentrations and combinations are chemically compatible.

The cosmetic Composition of the Invention can have a pH from about 5.5to about 9.0 or from about 6.0 to about 8.0. In some embodiments, the pHof the Composition of the Invention further comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle is about 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8,7.9 or 8.0. In one embodiment, the pH of the cosmetic Composition of theInvention is about 7.4.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can be encapsulated for deliveryto a target area such as the skin, teeth or hair. Encapsulationtechniques include the use of liposomes, vesicles, or nanoparticles thatare useful as delivery vehicles to deliver a cosmetic Composition of theInvention to skin, teeth or hair.

A cosmetic Composition of the Invention can be in the form of a lotion;an ointment; a gel; a cream; a shampoo; a moisturizer; a sunscreen; acream; a stick; a spray; an aerosol; a foam; a paste; a mousse; adentrifice; a solid, semi-solid, or liquid make-up; a foundation; or aneye make-up. Examples of products that can incorporate the cosmeticComposition of the Invention include hand treatment products, decolletetreatment products, sunless skin tanning products, hair products (e.g.,shampoos, conditioners, colorants, dyes, bleaches, straighteners, andpermanent wave products), fingernail products, moisturizing creams, skincreams and lotions, softeners, day lotions, gels, ointments,foundations, night creams, lipsticks, lip balms, cleansers, toners,masks, deodorants, antiperspirants, exfoliating compositions,shaving-related products (e.g., creams and aftershaves), pre-moistenedwipes and washcloths, tanning lotions, bath products (e.g. oils), footcare products (e.g. powders and sprays), skin colorant, make-up products(e.g. foundations, blushes, eye shadows, eye liners, lip colors,mascaras), baby products (e.g., baby lotions, oils, shampoos, powdersand wet wipes), pet products (e.g., shampoos, powders and wet wipes) andskin peel products. Additionally, the cosmetic Composition of theInvention can be formulated as leave-on or rinse-off products.

The cosmetic Composition of the Invention can be in any form, e.g.formulated as a toner, gel, lotion, a fluid cream, or a cream. Thecosmetic Composition of the Invention can be packaged in a suitablecontainer to suit its viscosity and intended use by the consumer. Forexample, a lotion or fluid cream can be packaged in a bottle or aroll-ball applicator or a propellant-driven aerosol device or acontainer fitted with a pump suitable for finger operation. When thecosmetic Composition of the Invention is a cream, it can be stored in anon-deformable bottle or squeeze container, such as a tube or a liddedjar. The cosmetic Composition of the Invention may also be included incapsules, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,057.

Articles

Another aspect of the present invention is an article containing aComposition of the Invention. The article can be a bandage, absorptivedental roll, tampon, sanitary napkin, diaper, body urinal, underarmperspiration pad, breast pad, disposable hat band, wiping cloth, tissuewipe, premoistened towelette, mattress pad, undersheet, surgicaldressing, toilet paper or facial tissue. In some embodiments, thearticle contains an effective amount of a Composition of the Invention.In some embodiments, the article is an article of manufacture.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, a Composition of the Invention isapplied to an article. In one embodiment, the article comprises a wovenor unwoven material. The article can be a cellulose product, such as thegauze or other absorbent dressings. In another embodiment, the articleis wound dressing, a burn dressing, or a gauze roll. In someembodiments, the article is a bandage. The bandage can be of the typeused on acute wounds, minor wounds, burn wounds and irritations. Inanother embodiment, the article is a fabric, such as cotton, cloth,rayon, nylon, wool, surgical gauze, burlap, or paper.

In some embodiments, the article is a commercially available product,such as gauze and surgical sponge products manufactured by Johnson &Johnson Company (J&J). In another embodiment, the article is acommercially-available fabric material, such as a cotton knittedtee-shirt material, cloth diaper material, terry wash-cloth material,non-woven wiping cloth, or cellulose kitchen sponge. In someembodiments, the article comprises cotton, rayon or polyester. In someembodiments, the article is a cotton blend. In other embodiments, thearticle is 100% cotton.

In some embodiments, the article is a bandage or dressing containing aComposition of the Invention, and further containing a hemostatic agent.Examples of hemostatic agents include antifibrinolytics, vitamin K,fibrinogen, or styptics. In some embodiments, the hemostatic agent iskaolin, microfibrillar collagen hemostat, zeolite or chitosan. In someembodiments, the bandage or dressing further contains an antibiotic,antifungal agent, antimicrobial agent, anti-inflammatory agent,analgesic, antihistamine, or compound containing silver or copper ions.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In another aspect of the present invention, a Composition of theInvention is useful as a pharmaceutical composition and optionallycomprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient.

The pharmaceutically acceptable excipient can provide the form forproper administration to the subject. Such pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients can be liquids, such as water and oil, including those ofpetroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil,soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. The pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients can be saline, gum acacia, gelatin, starch paste,talc, keratin, colloidal silica, urea and the like. In addition,auxiliary, stabilizing, thickening, lubricating, and coloring agents canbe used. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable excipientsare sterile when administered to a subject. Water is a useful excipientwhen a Composition of the Invention is administered intravenously.Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also beemployed as liquid excipients, specifically for injectable solutions.Suitable pharmaceutical excipients also include starch, glucose,lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodiumstearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried skim milk,glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and the like. The presentpharmaceutical compositions, if desired, can also comprise minor amountsof wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents.

The present pharmaceutical compositions can take the form of solutions,suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, pellets, capsules, capsulescontaining liquids, powders, sustained-release formulations,suppositories, emulsions, aerosols, sprays, suspensions, or any otherform suitable for use. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositionis in the form of a capsule (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,155). Otherexamples of suitable pharmaceutical excipients are described inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 1447-1676 (Alfonso R. Gennaro eds.,19th ed. 1995), incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical Composition of the Invention isformulated in accordance with routine procedures as a compositionadapted for oral administration to human beings. Compositions for oraldelivery can be in the form of tablets, lozenges, aqueous or oilysuspensions, granules, powders, emulsions, capsules, syrups, or elixirsfor example. Orally administered compositions can comprise one or moreagents, for example, sweetening agents such as fructose, aspartame orsaccharin; flavoring agents such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, orcherry; coloring agents; and preserving agents, to provide apharmaceutically palatable preparation. Moreover, where in tablet orpill form, the compositions can be coated to delay disintegration andabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract thereby providing a sustainedaction over an extended period of time. Selectively permeable membranessurrounding an osmotically active driving a pharmaceutical Compositionof the Invention are also suitable for orally administered compositions.In these latter platforms, fluid from the environment surrounding thecapsule is imbibed by the driving compound, which swells to displace theagent or agent composition through an aperture. These delivery platformscan provide an essentially zero order delivery profile as opposed to thespiked profiles of immediate release formulations. A time-delay materialsuch as glycerol monostearate or glycerol stearate can also be useful.Oral compositions can include standard excipients such as mannitol,lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, cellulose, andmagnesium carbonate. In one embodiment, the excipients are ofpharmaceutical grade.

In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical Compositions of the Inventioncan be formulated for intravenous administration. Typically,compositions for intravenous administration comprise sterile isotonicaqueous buffer. Where necessary, the compositions can also include asolubilizing agent. Compositions for intravenous administration canoptionally include a local anesthetic such as lignocaine to lessen painat the site of the injection.

Generally, the ingredients are supplied either separately or mixedtogether in unit dosage form, for example, as a dry lyophilized-powderor water-free concentrate in a hermetically sealed container such as anampule or sachette indicating the quantity of active agent. Where apharmaceutical Composition of the Invention is to be administered byinfusion, it can be dispensed, for example, with an infusion bottlecontaining sterile pharmaceutical grade water or saline. Where thepharmaceutical Composition of the Invention is administered byinjection, an ampule of sterile water for injection or saline can beprovided so that the ingredients can be mixed prior to administration.

Pharmaceutical Compositions of the Invention can be administered bycontrolled-release or sustained-release means or by delivery devicesthat are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; 4,008,719; 5,674,533;5,059,595; 5,591,767; 5,120,548; 5,073,543; 5,639,476; 5,354,556; and5,733,556, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Such dosage forms can be useful for providing controlled- orsustained-release of one or more active ingredients using, for example,hydropropylmethyl cellulose, other polymer matrices, gels, permeablemembranes, osmotic systems, multilayer coatings, microparticles,liposomes, microspheres, or a combination thereof to provide the desiredrelease profile in varying proportions. Suitable controlled- orsustained-release formulations known to those skilled in the art,including those described herein, can be readily selected for use with aComposition of the Invention. The present invention thus provides singleunit dosage forms suitable for oral administration such as, but notlimited to, tablets, capsules, gelcaps, and caplets that are adapted forcontrolled- or sustained-release.

Controlled- or sustained-release of an active ingredient can bestimulated by various conditions, including but not limited to, changesin pH, changes in temperature, concentration or availability of enzymes,concentration or availability of water, or other physiologicalconditions or compounds. The amount of the Composition of the Inventionthat is effective in the treatment or prevention of a disease can bedetermined by standard clinical techniques. In addition, in vitro or invivo assays can optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosageranges. The precise dose to be employed can also depend on the route ofadministration, and the seriousness of the condition being treated andcan be decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and eachsubject's circumstances in view of, e.g., published clinical studies.Suitable effective dosage amounts, however, range from about 10micrograms to about 5 grams about every 4 hours, although they aretypically about 500 mg or less per every 4 hours. In one embodiment, theeffective dosage is about 0.01 mg, 0.5 mg, about 1 mg, about 50 mg,about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about 500 mg,about 600 mg, about 700 mg, about 800 mg, about 900 mg, about 1 g, about1.2 g, about 1.4 g, about 1.6 g, about 1.8 g, about 2.0 g, about 2.2 g,about 2.4 g, about 2.6 g, about 2.8 g, about 3.0 g, about 3.2 g, about3.4 g, about 3.6 g, about 3.8 g, about 4.0 g, about 4.2 g, about 4.4 g,about 4.6 g, about 4.8 g, and about 5.0 g, every 4 hours.

In various embodiments, a suitable dosage may be in a range of about 0.1mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight of the subject, for example,about 0.1 mg/kg, about 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.3 mg/kg, about 0.4 mg/kg,about 0.5 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg,about 0.9 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg, about 1.1 mg/kg, about 1.2 mg/kg, about1.3 mg/kg, about 1.4 mg/kg, about 1.5 mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg, about 1.7mg/kg, about 1.8 mg/kg, about 1.9 mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg, about 3 mg/kg,about 4 mg/kg, about 5 mg/kg, about 6 mg/kg, about 7 mg/kg, about 8mg/kg, about 9 mg/kg, about 10 mg/kg, about 11 mg/kg, about 12 mg/kg,about 13 mg/kg, about 14 mg/kg, about 15 mg/kg, about 20 mg/kg, about 25mg/kg, about 30 mg/kg, about 35 mg/kg, about 40 mg/kg, about 45 mg/kg,about 50 mg/kg, about 55 mg/kg, about 60 mg/kg, about 65 mg/kg, about 70mg/kg, about 75 mg/kg, about 80 mg/kg, about 85 mg/kg, about 90 mg/kg,about 95 mg/kg, or about 100 mg/kg body weight, inclusive of all valuesand ranges therebetween.

Equivalent dosages can be administered over various time periodsincluding, but not limited to, about every 2 hours, about every 6 hours,about every 8 hours, about every 12 hours, about every 24 hours, aboutevery 36 hours, about every 48 hours, about every 72 hours, about everyweek, about every two weeks, about every three weeks, about every month,and about every two months. The effective dosage amounts describedherein refer to total amounts administered; that is, if more thanComposition of the Invention is administered, the effective dosageamounts correspond to the total amount administered.

Pharmaceutical Compositions of the Invention can be prepared accordingto conventional mixing, granulating or coating methods, respectively,and the present compositions can comprise, in one embodiment, from about0.1% to about 99%; and in another embodiment from about 1% to about 70%of the compound of the invention by weight or volume.

The dosage regimen utilizing a pharmaceutical Composition of theInvention can be selected in accordance with a variety of factorsincluding type, species, age, weight, sex and medical condition of thesubject; the severity of the condition to be treated; the route ofadministration; the renal or hepatic function of the subject; and thespecific compound of the invention employed. A pharmaceuticalComposition of the Invention can be administered in a single daily dose,or the total daily dosage can be administered in divided doses of two,three or four times daily. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical Composition ofthe Invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use ofsuitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using thoseforms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skillin that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal deliverysystem, the dosage administration can be continuous rather thanintermittent throughout the dosage regimen. Other illustrative topicalpreparations include creams, ointments, lotions, aerosol sprays andgels, wherein the concentration of compound of the invention ranges fromabout 0.1% to about 15%, w/w or w/v. The pharmaceutical Composition ofthe Invention can be assayed in vitro or in vivo for the desiredtherapeutic or prophylactic activity prior to use in humans. Animalmodel systems can be used to demonstrate safety and efficacy.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical Composition of the Invention isadministered to a human that has an age in a range of from about 0months to about 6 months old, from about 6 to about 12 months old, fromabout 6 to about 18 months old, from about 18 to about 36 months old,from about 1 to about 5 years old, from about 5 to about 10 years old,from about 10 to about 15 years old, from about 15 to about 20 yearsold, from about 20 to about 25 years old, from about 25 to about 30years old, from about 30 to about 35 years old, from about 35 to about40 years old, from about 40 to about 45 years old, from about 45 toabout 50 years old, from about 50 to about 55 years old, from about 55to about 60 years old, from about 60 to about 65 years old, from about65 to about 70 years old, from about 70 to about 75 years old, fromabout 75 to about 80 years old, from about 80 to about 85 years old,from about 85 to about 90 years old, from about 90 to about 95 years oldor from about 95 to about 100 years old.

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical Composition of the Invention isadministered to a human infant. In other embodiments, a pharmaceuticalComposition of the Invention is administered to a human toddler. Inother embodiments, a pharmaceutical Composition of the Invention isadministered to a human child. In other embodiments, a pharmaceuticalComposition of the Invention is administered to a human adult. In yetother embodiments, a pharmaceutical Composition of the Invention isadministered to an elderly human.

Methods

In one aspect the present invention provides methods for extracting asubstance from a substrate comprising contacting the substrate with aComposition of the Invention under conditions effective for extractingat least some of the substance from the substrate. In one embodiment,“extracting” as used herein includes removing a substance from thesurface of a substrate. In another embodiment, “extracting” as usedherein includes extracting the substance from pores, fractures, cracks,fissures, crevices or interstitial spaces of a substrate.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides methods forextracting a substance, such as a substance comprising a protein, lipid,wax, fatty acid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon, from a substrate,comprising contacting the substrate with a Composition of the Inventionunder conditions effective for extracting at least some of thesubstance. In some embodiments, the substance is a protein, lipid, wax,fatty acid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance. In oneembodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is a hydrocarbon. Inone embodiment, extracting includes removing a protein, lipid, wax,fatty acid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance from thesurface of a substrate. In another embodiment, extracting includesextracting the protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid, fatty alcohol orhydrocarbon-containing substance from pores, fractures, cracks,fissures, crevices or interstitial spaces of a substrate.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method for extracting asubstance comprising contacting the substrate with a Composition of theInvention under conditions effective for extracting at least some of thesubstance, wherein the substance is tar, tar sand, coal tar, or asphalt.In one embodiment, extracting includes removing tar, tar sand or coaltar from the surface of a substrate. In another embodiment, extractingincludes extracting the tar, tar sand, coal tar or asphalt from pores,fractures, cracks, fissures, crevices or interstitial spaces of asubstrate. In one embodiment, the substrate is a shingle.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods forremediating a substrate, comprising contacting the substrate with aComposition of the Invention under conditions effective for remediatingthe substrate. As used herein, the term “remediating” includesextracting at least some substance, such as a protein, lipid, wax, fattyacid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance from asubstrate. In some embodiments, remediating includes extracting at leastsome substance, such as tar, tar sand, coal tar or asphalt from asubstrate, such as shingles.

Remediating can include purifying water such that it becomes potable,suitable for swimming or non-toxic to aquatic species; convertingcontaminated soil to that which is useful as farmland or for realestate; converting oil sand to sand that is suitable for commercial orrecreational use, etc. Thus, remediating a substrate can substantiallyimprove the quality of a substrate, for example, rendering it non-toxic.In some embodiments, remediating the substrate includes removing asubstance from the surface of a substrate, or extracting the substancefrom pores, fractures, cracks, fissures or crevices in a substrate. Thepresent methods are useful for remediating environmentally contaminatedsites, soils or animals. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, thepresent invention provides methods for remediating a substrate,comprising contacting the substrate with an aqueous composition of thepresent invention under conditions effective for remediating thesubstrate.

The substance can comprise a hydrocarbon, a protein, lipid, wax, fattyacid or fatty alcohol. The substance can be a hydrocarbon, a protein,lipid, wax, fatty acid or fatty alcohol. In some embodiments, thesubstance is tar, tar sand, coal tar, asphalt, or grease. In yet otherembodiments, the substance can be a bodily fluid, such as blood orsebum. In certain embodiments, the substrate is soil, sand, beach sand,oil sand, heavy-oil plastic, mineral, bone, teeth, sand, rock, wood,paper, skin, water, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, class,porcelain, concrete or metal. The substrate can be a solid or a liquid.Where the substrate is a solid, it can be a solid comprising a pore,fracture, crack, fissure or crevice; a smooth, non-porous solid; or aparticulate material such as a powder, sand, gravel, silt or sediment.In certain embodiments, the substrate is water. In one embodiment, thesubstrate is a waterbody. A waterbody can include ponds, lakes, streams,rivers, oceans, seawater, fresh water, salt water, brackish water,groundwater, wastewaster, and the like.

In another embodiment, the substrate is a blood vessel, including thewall of a blood vessel. The blood vessel can be an artery, arteriole,venule, vein, or capillary. The substance can be any substance describedherein, particularly a lipid, for example a sterol, for examplecholesterol, a low-density lipid (LDL), or high-density lipid (HDL).Thus, in certain embodiments, the present methods are useful to extract,remove or decrease the amount of a substance from a blood vessel. Incertain embodiments, the present invention provides methods forextracting, removing, or decreasing the amount of at least some of thesubstance from a blood vessel of a subject, comprising administering toa subject in need thereof an effective amount of a Composition of theInvention. The subject can be a mammal, such as a human. In someembodiments, the subject has dyslipidemia, high blood pressure orhypertension. The method can comprise administering a pharmaceuticalComposition of the Invention to the subject. In some embodiments, atherapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical Composition ofthe Invention is administered to the subject. A therapeuticallyeffective amount can be an amount that extracts or removes at least someof a substance from the blood vessel of a subject. In some embodiments,a therapeutically effective amount is an amount that decreases theamount or concentration of a substance in a subject, for example, in asubject's blood vessel. In some embodiments, the substance is acholesterol, LDL, HDL, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,a therapeutically effective amount is an amount of a Composition of theInvention that decreases the blood pressure in a subject.

In another embodiment, the substrate is fabric. Fabric can include anywoven material or fibers, including natural fibers such as cotton, wool,linen, silk, hemp, jute, etc., and synthetic fibers including rayon,polyester, nylon, etc. Thus, in certain embodiments, the present methodsmay be employed to extract a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid, fattyalcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance from fabric or wovenmaterials. In some embodiments, a bodily fluid is extracted from thefabric or woven materials. In some embodiments, the present inventionprovides a laundry detergent comprising a Composition of the Invention.In other embodiments, a Composition of the Invention is in the form of alaundry detergent. In certain embodiments, the present inventionprovides a method for extracting a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid,fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance from fabric comprisingcontacting the fabric with a laundry detergent comprising a Compositionof the Invention under conditions effective for removing the substancefrom the fabric.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides laundrydetergents comprising an aqueous composition of the present invention.In some embodiments, the laundry detergent comprises an extractant ofthe present invention. In other embodiments, the laundry detergentcomprises a substantially anhydrous composition of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, the invention further provides a methodfor removing a substance from fabric comprising contacting the fabricwith the laundry detergent comprising a Composition of the Inventionunder conditions effective for removing the substance from the fabric.

In another aspect, the present invention provides cleaning agentscomprising an aqueous composition of the present invention. In someembodiments, the cleaning agent comprises an extractant of the presentinvention. In other embodiments, the cleaning agent comprises asubstantially anhydrous composition of the present invention. In someembodiments, the present invention provides a method for removing asubstance from a substrate comprising contacting the substrate with acleaning agent comprising a Composition of the Invention underconditions effective for removing the substance from the substrate. Insome embodiments, a Composition of the Invention is in the form of acleaning agent.

In certain embodiments, the present methods may be employed to clean asubstrate by extracting a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid, fatty alcoholor hydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. In otherembodiments, the present methods is employed to remediate a substrate byextracting a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid, fatty alcohol orhydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. The substrate canbe a piece of machinery or equipment, such as that of a factory orrefinery. In other embodiments, the substrate is a part of a house orbuilding, such as the carpet, plumbing, floor, walls, windows, or roof.In some embodiments, the substrate is a bicycle, automobile, or boat. Inother embodiments, the substrate is a piece of furniture, an instrument,an appliance, a grill or cookware.

In another aspect, the present invention provides paint thinners, paintcleaners or paint additives comprising an aqueous composition of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, the paint thinner, paint cleaneror paint additive comprises an extractant of the present invention. Inother embodiments, the paint thinner, paint cleaner or paint additivecomprises a substantially anhydrous composition of the presentinvention. One aspect of the present invention is a compositioncomprising paint and a Composition of the Invention. Another aspect ofthe invention is a method of preparing paint comprising admixing a paintand a Composition of the Invention. In one embodiment, the paint is anoil-based paint. In another embodiment, the paint is a water-basedpaint.

Another aspect of the invention is a paint thinner or cleaner comprisinga Composition of the Invention. A paint thinner or cleaner comprising aComposition of the Invention can be useful for reducing or thinningcoatings and water and oil based paint material, and can also be usefulfor cleaning paint. In some embodiments, the present invention providesmethods for removing or thinning paint, comprising contacting paint witha Composition of the Invention under conditions effective for thinningpaint. In another embodiment, a method for removing paint from asubstrate comprises contacting the substrate with a Composition of theInvention under conditions effective for removing or extracting paintfrom a substrate.

In certain embodiments, the present methods may be employed to clean asubstrate by removing paint from the substrate. In some embodiments, themethods comprise contacting a painted substrate with a Composition ofthe Invention under conditions that are effective to remove paint fromthe substrate. In other embodiments, the present method is employed toremediate a substrate by extracting paint from the substrate. Thesubstrate can be a piece of machinery or equipment, such as that of afactory or refinery. In other embodiments, the substrate is a part of ahouse or building, such as the carpet, plumbing, floor, walls, windows,or roof. In some embodiments, the substrate is a bicycle, automobile, orboat. In other embodiments, the substrate is a piece of furniture, aninstrument, an appliance, a grill or cookware. In some embodiments thesubstrate is a paintbrush or roller.

Another aspect of the invention is a polish or polishing compositioncomprising a Composition of the Invention. A polish or polishingcomposition comprising a Composition of the Invention can be useful inpolishing a substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate is wood,ceramic, glass, stone, plastic, or metal. Also provided herein is amethod of using the polish or polishing composition. In someembodiments, the present invention provides methods for polishing asubstrate, comprising contacting a substrate with a Composition of theInvention under conditions effective for polishing a substrate. In someembodiments, the Composition of the Invention is in the form of a polishor polishing composition.

Another aspect of the invention is a mold and mildew remover comprisinga Composition of the Invention. A mold and mildew remover comprising aComposition of the Invention can be useful in removing mold or mildewfrom a substrate or killing mold and mildew on a substrate, or forpreventing or retarding growth or regrowth of mold and mildew on asubstrate which has been contacted with a Composition of the Invention.In some embodiments, the substrate is wood, grout, ceramic, glass,stone, cement, plastic, or metal. Also provided herein is a method ofusing the mold and mildew remover comprising a Composition of theInvention. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methodsfor removing mold or mildew, comprising contacting a substrate havingmold or mildew with a Composition of the Invention under conditions thatare effective to remove at least some of the mold or mildew. In someembodiments, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting thegrowth of mold or mildew, comprising contacting a substrate having moldor mildew with a Composition of the Invention under conditions that areeffective to inhibit the growth of the mold or mildew.

In another aspect, the present invention provides degreasing agentscomprising an aqueous composition of the present invention. In someembodiments, the degreasing agent comprises an extractant of the presentinvention. In other embodiments, the degreasing agent comprises asubstantially anhydrous composition of the present invention. In someembodiments, the invention provides methods for removing grease from asubstrate, comprising contacting the substrate with a Composition of theInvention under conditions effective for removing grease from thesubstrate.

In certain embodiments, the present methods may be employed to degreasea substrate by extracting grease from the substrate. In otherembodiments, the present method is employed to remediate a substrate byextracting grease from the substrate. The substrate can be a piece ofmachinery or equipment, such as that of a factory or restaurant. Inother embodiments, the substrate is a part of a house or building, suchas the carpet, plumbing, floor, walls, or windows. In some embodiments,the substrate is an appliance, a grill or cookware.

In some embodiments, the methods for extracting a protein, lipid, wax,fatty acid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance from asubstrate further comprise recovering the protein, lipid, wax, fattyacid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance and optionallypurifying it.

The present methods can be performed at less-than elevated temperature(e.g., at about 23° C.). However, in certain embodiments, it can beadvantageous to heat a mixture of a Composition of the Invention and asubstrate to improve or accelerate extraction or remediation. Thus, thepresent methods can be performed at a temperature of from about 5° C. toabout 100° C. (e.g., about 5° C. to about 10° C., about 10° C. to about15° C., about 15° C. to about 20° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C.,about 25° C. to about 30° C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about 35° C.to about 40° C., about 40° C. to about 45° C., about 45° C. to about 50°C., about 50° C. to about 55° C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about60° C. to about 65° C., about 65° C. to about 70° C., about 70° C. toabout 75° C., about 75° C. to about 80° C., about 80° C. to about 85°C., about 85° C. to about 90° C., about 90° C. to about 95° C., about95° C. to about 100° C., or any other value or range of values therein).

Contacting is conducted under conditions that are effective forextracting at least some substance from the substrate or for remediatingthe substrate. Thus, in certain embodiments, the contacting time isabout 10 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes,about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about4 hours, about 5 hours, about 6 hours, about 12 hours, about 18 hours,about 24 hours, about two or three days, about a week, about a month orabout several months (or any other value or range of values therein orthereabove). In addition, contacting can be conducted at a temperatureof from about 5° C. to about 90° C. (e.g., about 5° C., about 10° C.,about 15° C., about 20° C., about 25° C., about 30° C., about 35° C.,about 40° C., about 45° C., about 50° C., about 55° C., about 60° C.,about 65° C., about 70° C., about 75° C., about 80° C., about 85° C.,about 90° C., or any other value or range of values therein). In oneembodiment, the contacting occurs at an aqueous composition or asubstrate temperature of about 4° C. to about 38° C. In one embodiment,the contacting is conducted at a temperature of from about 5° C. toabout 50° C.; in other embodiments from about 20° C. to about 30° C. Inother embodiments the contacting occurs at about 20° C., at about 30°C., at about 40° C., at about 50° C., at about 60° C., at about 70° C.,at about 80° C., at about 90° C., or any other value or range of valuestherein or thereabove).

In certain embodiments, it can be advantageous to adjust the pH of thesubstrate or the aqueous compositions or extractants, for example, toeffect a desired separation or to promote formation of aggregates of thesubstance. Thus, in certain embodiments, the pH of the substrate or thepresent aqueous compositions or extractants can be adjusted to about 13,about 12, about 11, about 10, about 9, about 8, about 7, about 6, about5, about 4, about 3 (or any other value or range of values therein ortherebelow). Such pH adjustment can be performed by adding an acid orbase as previously described herein. The acid or base can be addedcontinuously, or in aliquots. The acid or base can be added undiluted oras a mixture in water or organic solvent.

In certain embodiments, the present methods further comprise subjectingthe aqueous composition, extractant or substrate to agitation. Thus, asubstrate can be contacted with the aqueous composition or extractant,and subjected to mixing, stirring, fluid circulation, or any techniqueknown in the art for agitating a mixture.

In some embodiments, a Composition of the Invention is combined with ahydrocarbon-containing substance, and the density of the composition isselected such that the hydrocarbon containing substance forms a layer ontop of the Composition of the Invention. Thus, in some embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance floats on the top of a Composition ofthe Invention. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substancethat floats on the top of a composition of the invention is #6 fuel oil,coal tar, or heavy oil. In some embodiments, the density difference, Δρ,is from about 0.01 g/mL to about 10 g/mL; in some embodiments, about0.02, about 0.03, about 0.04, about 0.05, about 0.06, about 0.07, about0.08, about 0.09, about 0.11, about 0.12, about 0.13, about 0.14, about0.15, about 0.16, about 0.17, about 0.18, about 0.19, about 0.20, about0.22, about 0.24, about 0.26, about 0.28, about 0.30, about 0.32, about0.34, about 0.36, about 0.38, about 0.40, about 0.42, about 0.44, about0.46, about 0.48, about 0.50, about 0.55, about 0.60, about 0.65, about0.70, about 0.75, about 0.80, about 0.85, about 0.90, about 0.95, about1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7,about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, about 3.0,about 3.1, about 3.2, about 3.3, about 3.4, about 3.5, about 3.6, about3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9, about 4.0, about 4.1, about 4.2, about 4.3,about 4.4, about 4.5, about 4.6, about 4.7, about 4.8, about 4.9, about5.0, about 5.1, about 5.2, about 5.3, about 5.4, about 5.5, about 5.6,about 5.7, about 5.8, about 5.9, about 6.0, about 6.1, about 6.2, about6.3, about 6.4, about 6.5, about 6.6, about 6.7, about 6.8, about 6.9,about 7.0, about 7.1, about 7.2, about 7.3, about 7.4, about 7.5, about7.6, about 7.7, about 7.8, about 7.9, about 8.0, about 8.1, about 8.2,about 8.3, about 8.4, about 8.5, about 8.6, about 8.7, about 8.8, about8.9, about 9.0, about 9.1, about 9.2, about 9.3, about 9.4, about 9.5,about 9.6, about 9.7, about 9.8, about 9.9, about 10.0, or any othervalue or range of values therein.

In some embodiments, the present methods can further comprise aeratingthe present aqueous compositions or extractants when admixed or combinedwith a substrate comprising a substance such as a protein, lipid, wax,fatty acid, fatty alcohol or hydrocarbon-containing substance. Aerationcan be effected by introducing a gas into a mixture comprising thepresent aqueous compositions or extractants and a substrate containing asubstance. In some embodiments the gas is air. In other embodiments, thegas is an inert gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or argon. Aerationcan be conducted before stirring or agitation of the mixture, concurrentwith stirring or agitation, after stirring or agitation, or anycombination of before, during and after stirring or agitation. Suchaeration of the present aqueous compositions or extractants can beeffected by employing a suitable device for introducing a gas into afluid, e.g., a fitted glass bubble, a gas manifold, solid or pliabletubes, etc. In some embodiments, the present methods may be performed atambient pressure.

The extraction efficiency, i.e., amount of substance that can beextracted from a substrate, ranges from about 5 wt % of the substrate'ssubstance to 100 wt % of the substrate's substance; in one embodimentfrom about 10 wt % of the substrate's substance to about 90 wt % of thesubstrate's substance; in other embodiments, at least about 5 wt %, atleast about 10 wt %, at least about 15 wt %, at least about 20 wt %, atleast about 25 wt %, at least about 30 wt %, at least about 35 wt %, atleast about 40 wt %, at least about 45 wt %, at least about 50 wt %, atleast about 55 wt %, at least about 60 wt %, at least about 65 wt %, atleast about 70 wt %, at least about 75 wt %, at least about 80 wt %, atleast about 85 wt %, at least about 90 wt %, at least about 95 wt %, atleast about 96 wt %, at least about 97 wt %, at least about 98 wt %, atleast about 99 wt %, about 99.5 wt %, or greater than about 99.5 wt %,(or any other value or range of values therein or thereabove) of thetotal amount of substance present in or on the substrate.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, the substance is ahydrocarbon-containing substance. In some embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance is petrolatum, grease or oil, includingheavy oil, crude oil, refined oil, shale oil, bitumen, coal tar,synthetic oil, and fractions or products thereof; automotive oil; oilfrom oil sand, for example, from Athabasca, Venezuela or Utah oil sand;oil obtained from hydraulic fracturing; and oil from the skin of ananimal. In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substancecomprises natural gas liquids.

In one embodiment, the substance is a hydrocarbon-containing substanceand the substrate is a waterbody. In this regard, ahydrocarbon-containing substance can be extracted from a waterbody bytreating it with a present aqueous composition or extractant. In certainembodiments, the substrate is soil. In other embodiments, the substrateis sediment. In other embodiments, the substrate is metal. In oneembodiment, the substrate is a metal storage tank. In anotherembodiment, the substrate is a metal pipe. In another embodiment, thesubstrate is glass. In another embodiment, the substrate is porcelain.In another embodiment, the substrate is a concrete.

The present methods of extracting a hydrocarbon-containing substance canbe performed at less-than elevated temperature (e.g., at about 23° C.).However, in certain embodiments, it can be advantageous to heat amixture of a Composition of the Invention and a substrate to improve oraccelerate extraction or remediation. Thus, the present methods can beperformed at a temperature of from about 5° C. to about 100° C. (e.g.,about 5° C. to about 10° C., about 10° C. to about 15° C., about 15° C.to about 20° C., about 20° C. to about 25° C., about 25° C. to about 30°C., about 30° C. to about 35° C., about 35° C. to about 40° C., about40° C. to about 45° C., about 45° C. to about 50° C., about 50° C. toabout 55° C., about 55° C. to about 60° C., about 60° C. to about 65°C., about 65° C. to about 70° C., about 70° C. to about 75° C., about75° C. to about 80° C., about 80° C. to about 85° C., about 85° C. toabout 90° C., about 90° C. to about 95° C., about 95° C. to about 100°C., or any other value or range of values therein).

The present methods are also useful for extractinghydrocarbon-containing substance (e.g., crude oil) from the skin of ananimal, such as a fish, bird or mammal, for example, after an oil spill.Thus, in certain embodiments, the animal is a living animal. In otherembodiments, the animal is a dead animal, which might be cleaned ordecontaminated.

According to the present invention, extracting a hydrocarbon-containingsubstance comprises contacting the substrate with a Composition of theInvention under conditions that are effective for extracting at leastsome of the hydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. Ahydrocarbon-containing substance comprises one or more hydrocarbons. Insome embodiments, the hydrocarbon is aromatic, such as benzene, toluene,naphthalene, xylene and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH).Illustrative PAHs include naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene,chrysene, and C₁-C₁₀ homologs thereof. A C₁ homolog of a PAH is a PAHhaving a methyl group. A C₂ homolog of a PAH is a PAH having, forexample, an ethyl group or two methyl groups. A C₃ homolog of a PAH is aPAH having, for example, a methyl and an ethyl group, three methylgroups, an n-propyl group or an i-propyl group. A C₄ homolog of a PAH isa PAH having, for example, two ethyl groups, four methyl groups, anethyl group and two methyl groups, a methyl group and an n-propyl group,a methyl group and an i-propyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butylgroup, and i-butyl group or a t-butyl group. In other embodiments, thehydrocarbon comprises one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogenand sulfur. In some embodiment, the hydrocarbon is a heteroaromaticcompound such as pyridine, pyrazine, quinoline, furan, or thiophene, ora polycyclic aromatic compound optionally comprising one or moreheteroatoms such as N, O or S.

In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon is nonaromatic, such as acycloalkane, cycloalkene, and straight-branched-chain alkane, alkene andalkyne. In some embodiments, the non-aromatic hydrocarbon is a linear,branched or cyclic pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, or C₁₀-C₂₀alkane. In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon is a heteroatom-containingpartially or fully saturated linear, branched, cyclic or caged compound.In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon comprises an ester, an amide, anamine, an imine, a carboxylic acid, a sulfide, a sulfoxide, a sulfone, anitroxide or a nitrone moiety. In other embodiments, the hydrocarboncomprises a halogen. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containingsubstance is an oil. Such oils include light oils having an API(American Petroleum Institute) gravity higher than 31.1° API (i.e., adensity of less than 870 kg/m³), medium oils having an API gravitybetween 22.3° API and 31.1° API (i.e., a density of from 870 kg/m³ to920 kg/m³), heavy oils having an API gravity below 22.3° API to 10.0°API (i.e., a density of from 920 kg/m³ to 1000 kg/m³), or extra heavyoil having an API gravity below 10.0° API (i.e., a density of greaterthan 1000 kg/m³). Thus, light, medium and heavy oils are less dense thanwater, whereas extra heavy oil is more dense than water. In someembodiments, the oil is a light tar oil. A light tar oil is an oilhaving an API gravity of 22.3° API to 10.0° API.

In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is coal tar.“Coal tar” as used herein refers to a dense non-aqueous phase liquid(DNAPL) which comprises mixture of highly aromatic hydrocarbons, wherethe mixture optionally comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons. Coal tar istypically a brown or black liquid having a very high viscosity, and isgenerally not pourable from a vessel at ambient temperatures. Coal taris one by-product of the manufacture of coke from coal, or fromgasification of coal. Coal tar can be complex or variable mixtures andcan comprise one of more phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), and heterocyclic compounds. “Coal tar sand” as used herein is amixture of sand and coal tar, e.g., sand coated with coal tar, or coaltar with sand mixed or embedded therein.

In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is sludge,e.g., from a storage tank employed for storing industrial sewage orother waste materials. Such sludge can comprise anyhydrocarbon-containing substance as described herein, including lightoils, medium oils, heavy oils, extra-heavy oils, bitumen, or coal tar asdescribed herein, in addition to sediment such as sand, silt or clay,metals or waxes. An oil-contaminated sludge is a sludge as whichcomprises an oil.

In certain embodiments, the oil is crude oil. In some embodiments, thecrude oil is a sweet crude oil (oil having relatively low sulfurcontent, e.g., less than about 0.42% sulfur). In other embodiments, thecrude oil is a sour crude oil (oil having relatively high sulfur contente.g., about 0.42% or more sulfur). In some embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance is bitumen. Bitumen, also referred toas asphalt, typically comprises polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Insome embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance comprises on ormore petroleum distillates. In other embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance is diesel fuel. In other embodiments,the hydrocarbon-containing substance is heating oil. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is jet fuel. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is aviation gasoline.In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is kerosene.

In some embodiments, the methods for extracting a hydrocarbon-containingsubstance from a substrate further comprise recovering thehydrocarbon-containing substance and optionally purifying it. Forexample, where the hydrocarbon-containing substance is crude oil, theextracted crude oil can be recovered and optionally refined to provideone or more conventional oil-derived products.

In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is removedfrom the substrate's surface. In other embodiments,hydrocarbon-containing substance is extracted from the substrate. Insome embodiments the present methods for extracting thehydrocarbon-containing substance result in the formation of a biphasicor multiphasic mixture in which one of the phases is agglomeratedhydrocarbon-containing substance (e.g., in the form of an “oil ball”),which can be easily removed from the aqueous composition or extractantby, for example, skimming, decantation, centrifugation or filtration. Incertain embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance extracted orremoved from the substrate forms one or more agglomerations that can bespherical or spheroid in shape. In some embodiments, the agglomerationsof hydrocarbon-containing material may range in diameter from about 0.1mm to about 1 cm. The size of the present agglomerations can depend onthe amount of hydrocarbon-containing substance present. Thus, where alarge amount of hydrocarbon-containing substance is present, theagglomerations may be relatively larger in diameter, ranging from about1 mm to about 10 cm or larger. In other embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance does not agglomerate, but forms a layeron the top of the present aqueous compositions or extractants.

In still other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance canform “stringers,” e.g., thread-like or filamentous masses of thehydrocarbon substance that can be extracted or removed from a substrate.For example, such stringers can have a width or diameter of from about0.1 mm to about 1 cm or larger. The size of the present stringers candepend on the amount of hydrocarbon-containing substance present. Thus,where a large amount of hydrocarbon-containing substance is present, thestringers may be relatively larger in width or diameter, ranging fromabout 1 mm to about 10 cm or larger. Similarly, the stringers may have alength ranging from, e.g., about 5 mm to about 5 cm when employed inbench-scale experiments. As described with respect to width or diameterof the present stringers, that the length of the present stringers candepend on the amount of hydrocarbon-containing substance present.

In certain embodiments, the present methods further comprise subjectingthe aqueous composition, extractant or substrate comprising ahydrocarbon-containing substance to agitation. Thus, a substrate can becontacted with the aqueous composition or extractant, and subjected tomixing, stirring, fluid circulation, or any technique known in the artfor agitating a mixture.

In some embodiments, the present methods can further comprise aeratingthe present aqueous compositions or extractants when admixed or combinedwith a substrate comprising a hydrocarbon-containing substance. Aerationcan be effected by introducing a gas into a mixture comprising thepresent aqueous compositions or extractants and a substrate containing ahydrocarbon-containing substance. In some embodiments the gas is air. Inother embodiments, the gas is an inert gas such as carbon dioxide,nitrogen or argon. Aeration can be conducted before stirring oragitation of the mixture, concurrent with stirring or agitation, afterstirring or agitation, or any combination of before, during and afterstirring or agitation. Such aeration of the present aqueous compositionsor extractants can be effected by employing a suitable device forintroducing a gas into a fluid, e.g., a fritted glass bubble, a gasmanifold, solid or pliable tubes, etc. Gas may be introduced into themixture at a rate ranging from 0.01 L/min to about 10 L/min per liter ofaqueous composition or extractant (e.g., from about 0.01 L/min to about0.1 L/min, from about 0.1 L/min to about 0.2 L/min, from about 0.2 L/minto about 0.3 L/min, from about 0.3 L/min to about 0.4 L/min, from about0.4 L/min to about 0.5 L/min, from about 0.5 L/min to about 0.6 L/min,from about 0.6 L/min to about 0.7 L/min, from about 0.7 L/min to about0.8 L/min, from about 0.8 L/min to about 0.9 L/min, from about 0.9 L/minto about 1 L/min, from about 1 L/min to about 2 L/min, from about 2L/min to about 3 L/min, from about 3 L/min to about 4 L/min, from about4 L/min to about 5 L/min, from about 5 L/min to about 6 L/min, fromabout 6 L/min to about 7 L/min, from about 7 L/min to about 8 L/min,from about 8 L/min to about 9 L/min, from about 9 L/min to about 10L/min, or any other value or range of values therein). The amount of gasintroduced per liter of aqueous composition or extractant can depend onthe total amount of solution present and the size of the container inwhich the aqueous composition or extractant is combined with thesubstrate containing the hydrocarbon-containing substance to beextracted. Extracted hydrocarbon-containing material in the producedfroth may be separated from the froth by skimming or centrifugation. Insuch processes, hydrocarbon-containing material may be recovered from anextractant or aqueous composition after an extraction and frothingprocess, and then the extractant or aqueous composition can be recycledfor reuse in an extraction process.

Aeration of the present aqueous compositions or extractants can createfoam from the aqueous compositions or extractants. Such foams can havesufficient mechanical strength and/or stability to entrain or carryhydrocarbon-containing substance which has been removed or extractedfrom a substrate. Thus, aeration may provide a foam which entrains andtransports an extracted hydrocarbon-containing substance out of thevessel in which such a substrate was combined with the present aqueouscompositions or extractants.

In some embodiments, the present methods for extracting ahydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate comprise hydraulicallyfracturing the substrate with a fracturing fluid that comprises apresent aqueous composition or extractant. The method can compriseinjecting a fracturing fluid comprising a present composition orextractant into a substrate (e.g., a rock formation) at a pressureeffective to fracture the substrate. Surface pumping pressures can rangefrom about 500 psi (pounds-per-square-inch, lb/in²) to about 15,000 psi(e.g., about 500 psi, about 1,000 psi, about 1,500 psi, about 2,000 psi,about 2,500 psi, about 3,000 psi, about 3,500 psi, about 4,000 psi,about 4,500 psi, about 5,000 psi, about 5,500 psi, about 6,000 psi,about 6,500 psi, about 7,000 psi, about 7,500 psi, about 8,000 psi,about 8,500 psi, about 9,000 psi, about 9,500 psi, about 10,000 psi,about 10,500 psi, about 11,000 psi, about 11,500 psi, about 12,000 psi,about 12,500 psi, about 13,000 psi, about 13,500 psi, about 14,000 psi,about 14,500 psi, about 15,000 psi). The surface pumping pressure canvary depending on fluid injection rates, well depth and orientation(e.g., vertical, horizontal, inclined, etc.), formation type (e.g.,sandstone, limestone, etc.), perforation size and number of perforationsin the production casing across the production zone being fractured,etc. Furthermore, fluid pumping pressures typically vary over the courseof the fracturing operation, and can increase, decrease, or both duringthe course of a fracturing operation.

The fracturing fluid can further comprise one or more additives such asa proppant, viscosity modifier, radioactive tracer, gel, alcohol,detergent, acid, fluid-loss additive, gas (e.g., nitrogen or carbondioxide) dispersant or flocculant. The fracturing fluid can then berecovered or produced from the substrate (e.g., via a wellbore),extracting the hydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate asthe fracturing fluid is recovered or produced. The resultant mixture ofthe fracturing fluid and extracted hydrocarbon-containing substance canbe further processed to separate the hydrocarbon-containing substancefrom the fracturing fluid.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides ahydraulic fracturing fluid comprising an aqueous composition of thepresent invention. In certain embodiments, the hydraulic fracturingfluid further comprises an additive. In some embodiments, the additiveis one or more of a proppant, a viscosity modifier, a radioactivetracer, a gel, an alcohol, a detergent, an acid, a fluid loss additive,a gas, a dispersant or a flocculant. In other embodiments, the presentinvention provides a hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising an extractantof the present invention. In certain embodiments, the hydraulicfracturing fluid further comprises an additive. In certain embodiments,the additive is one or more of a proppant, a viscosity modifier, aradioactive tracer, a gel, an alcohol, a detergent, an acid, a fluidloss additive, a gas, a dispersant or a flocculant. In certainembodiments, the invention further provides a method for extracting ahydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate, comprisinghydraulically fracturing the substrate with a hydraulic fracturing fluidcomprising an aqueous composition of the present invention. In otherembodiments, the present invention provides a method for extracting ahydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate, comprisinghydraulically fracturing the substrate with a hydraulic fracturing fluidcomprising an extractant of the present invention.

The extraction efficiency, i.e., amount of hydrocarbon-containingsubstance that can be extracted from a substrate, ranges from about 5 wt% of the substrate's hydrocarbon-containing substance to 100 wt % of thesubstrate's hydrocarbon-containing substance; in one embodiment fromabout 10 wt % of the substrate's hydrocarbon-containing substance toabout 90 wt % of the substrate's hydrocarbon-containing substance; inother embodiments, at least about 5 wt %, at least about 10 wt %, atleast about 15 wt %, at least about 20 wt %, at least about 25 wt %, atleast about 30 wt %, at least about 35 wt %, at least about 40 wt %, atleast about 45 wt %, at least about 50 wt %, at least about 55 wt %, atleast about 60 wt %, at least about 65 wt %, at least about 70 wt %, atleast about 75 wt %, at least about 80 wt %, at least about 85 wt %, atleast about 90 wt %, at least about 95 wt %, at least about 96 wt %, atleast about 97 wt %, at least about 98 wt %, at least about 99 wt %,about 99.5 wt %, or greater than about 99.5 wt %, (or any other value orrange of values therein or thereabove) of the total amount ofhydrocarbon-containing substance present in or on the substrate.

In some embodiments, the present methods may be performed at ambientpressure. In other embodiments, the present methods may be conducted ata reduced pressure from about 100 mm Hg to about 760 mm Hg (e.g., fromabout 100 mm Hg to about 200 mm Hg, from about 200 mm Hg to about 300 mmHg, from about 300 mm Hg to about 400 mm Hg, from about 400 mm Hg toabout 500 mm Hg, from about 500 mm Hg to about 600 mm Hg, from about 600mm Hg to about 700 mm Hg, from about 700 mm Hg to about 760 mm Hg, orany other value or range of values therein). In other embodiments, thepresent methods may be performed at an elevated pressure from about 760mm Hg to about 7600 mm Hg (e.g., from about 760 mm Hg to about 1520 mmHg, from about 1520 mm Hg to about 2280 mm Hg, from about 2280 mm Hg toabout 3040 mm Hg, from about 3040 mm Hg to about 3800 mm Hg, from about3800 mm Hg to about 4560 mm Hg, from about 4560 mm Hg to about 5320 mmHg, from about 5320 mm Hg to about 6080 mm Hg, from about 6080 mm Hg toabout 6840 mm Hg, from about 6840 mm Hg to about 7600 mm Hg, or anyother value or range of values therein).

The present invention further provides methods for remediating asubstrate by removing a hydrocarbon-containing substance comprisingcontacting the substrate with a Composition of the Invention of theinvention under conditions effective for remediating the substrate.Remediating can include purifying water by removing ahydrocarbon-containing substance such that it becomes potable, suitablefor swimming or non-toxic to aquatic species; converting soilcontaminated with a hydrocarbon-containing substance to that which isuseful as farmland or for real estate; converting hydrocarbon-containingoil sand to sand that is suitable for commercial or recreational use,etc. Thus, remediating a substrate can substantially improve the qualityof a substrate, for example, rendering it non-toxic. In someembodiments, remediating the substrate includes removing ahydrocarbon-containing substance from the surface of a substrate, orextracting the hydrocarbon-containing substance from pores, fractures,cracks, fissures or crevices in a substrate. The present methods areuseful for remediating environmentally contaminated sites, soils oranimals.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the present invention providesmethods for remediating a substrate, comprising contacting the substratewith an aqueous composition of the present invention under conditionseffective for remediating the substrate. In some embodiments, thesubstrate is plastic, rock, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood,paper, skin, a waterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, glass,porcelain, concrete, metal or an animal. In certain embodiments, thesubstrate is a waterbody. In other embodiments, the substrate is soil.In some embodiments, the substrate is an animal. In some embodiments,the animal is a living animal. In other embodiments, the animal is adead animal. In certain embodiments, remediating comprises extracting ahydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. In otherembodiments, the contacting occurs at an aqueous composition or asubstrate temperature of about 5° C. to about 90° C. (e.g., about 5° C.,about 10° C., about 15° C., about 20° C., about 25° C., about 30° C.,about 35° C., about 40° C., about 45° C., about 50° C., about 55° C.,about 60° C., about 65° C., about 70° C., about 75° C., about 80° C.,about 85° C., about 90° C., or any other value or range of valuestherein). In one embodiment, the contacting occurs at an aqueouscomposition or a substrate temperature of about 4° C. to about 38° C. Insome embodiments, the method further comprises subjecting the aqueouscomposition or substrate to agitation. In some embodiments, theagitation is mixing. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containingsubstance is petrolatum, grease, oil, coal tar, bitumen, coal tar sand,sludge, oil-contaminated sludge, light tar oil or creosote. In certainembodiments, the oil is automotive oil. In other embodiments, theautomotive oil is synthetic automotive oil. In some embodiments, the oilis crude oil. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substancecomprises one or more petroleum distillates. In other embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance is diesel fuel. In other embodiments,the hydrocarbon-containing substance is heating oil. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is jet fuel. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is aviation gasoline.In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is kerosene.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method forremediating a substrate, comprising contacting the substrate with anextractant of the present invention under conditions effective forremediating the substrate. In certain embodiments, the substrate issoil, sand, wood, paper, skin, a waterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant,hair, fabric, metal or an animal. In other embodiments, the substrate isa waterbody. In some embodiments, the substrate is soil. In otherembodiments, the substrate is an animal. In some embodiments, the animalis a living animal. In other embodiments, the animal is a dead animal.In some embodiments, remediating comprises extracting ahydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. In certainembodiments, contacting occurs at an extractant or substrate temperatureof about 5° to about 90° C. (e.g., about 5° C., about 10° C., about 15°C., about 20° C., about 25° C., about 30° C., about 35° C., about 40°C., about 45° C., about 50° C., about 55° C., about 60° C., about 65°C., about 70° C., about 75° C., about 80° C., about 85° C., about 90°C., or any other value or range of values therein). In one embodiment,the contacting occurs at an aqueous composition or a substratetemperature of about 4° C. to about 38° C. In other embodiments, themethod further comprises subjecting the extractant or substrate toagitation. In some embodiments, the agitation is mixing. In certainembodiments, agitation comprises sonication. In other embodiments,agitation is effected by microwave. In other embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance is grease, oil, coal tar, bitumen, coaltar sand, sludge, oil-contaminated sludge, light tar oil or creosote. Insome embodiments, the oil is automotive oil. In other embodiments, theautomotive oil is synthetic automotive oil. In certain embodiments, theoil is crude oil. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containingsubstance comprises one or more petroleum distillates. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is diesel fuel. Inother embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is heating oil.In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is jet fuel.In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is aviationgasoline. In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance iskerosene.

In another aspect, the present methods result in the sequestration ofhydrocarbon-containing substance present in or on the substrate. Suchmethods can comprise introducing a present aqueous composition orextractant into the soil, e.g., the soil's subsurface, via, e.g.,groundwater monitoring or one or more remediation wells. Without beingbound by any particular theory of the mechanism of such sequestration,introducing a present aqueous composition or extractant into the soilcan effectively encapsulate or agglomerate hydrocarbon-containingsubstance therein, rendering it relatively immobile. Accordingly, suchmethods can also render the hydrocarbon-containing substance effectivelyinert via sequestration.

The present methods can be performed by allowing the substrates andpresent aqueous compositions or extractants to contact within acontainer, such as a tank, vessel, pool or pit. The contacting can beperformed at atmospheric pressure or above in a batch, semi-batch orcontinuous mode, for example, where hydrocarbon-containing substance iscontinuously removed from the substrate. In some embodiments, thepresent aqueous compositions or extractants are reused after removinghydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate or after remediating asubstrate. In other embodiments, “fresh,” previously unused aqueouscomposition or extractant is continuously contacted with the substrate.

Contacting is conducted under conditions that are effective forextracting at least some hydrocarbon-containing substance from thesubstrate or for remediating the substrate. Thus, in certainembodiments, the contacting time is about 10 minutes, about 20 minutes,about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes,about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, about 5 hours, about 6hours, about 12 hours, about 18 hours, about 24 hours, about two orthree days, about a week, about a month or about several months (or anyother value or range of values therein or thereabove). In addition,contacting can be conducted at a temperature of from about 5° C. toabout 90° C. (e.g., about 5° C., about 10° C., about 15° C., about 20°C., about 25° C., about 30° C., about 35° C., about 40° C., about 45°C., about 50° C., about 55° C., about 60° C., about 65° C., about 70°C., about 75° C., about 80° C., about 85° C., about 90° C., or any othervalue or range of values therein). In one embodiment, the contactingoccurs at an aqueous composition or a substrate temperature of about 4°C. to about 38° C. In one embodiment, the contacting is conducted at atemperature of from about 5° C. to about 50° C.; in other embodimentsfrom about 20° C. to about 30° C. In other embodiments the contactingoccurs at about 20° C., at about 30° C., at about 40° C., at about 50°C., at about 60° C., at about 70° C., at about 80° C., at about 90° C.,or any other value or range of values therein or thereabove).

In certain embodiments, it can be advantageous to adjust the pH of thesubstrate or the aqueous compositions or extractants, for example, toeffect a desired separation or to promote formation of aggregates ofhydrocarbon-containing substance. Thus, in certain embodiments, the pHof the substrate or the present aqueous compositions or extractants canbe adjusted to about 13, about 12, about 11, about 10, about 9, about 8,about 7, about 6, about 5, about 4, about 3 (or any other value or rangeof values therein or therebelow). Such pH adjustment can be performed byadding an acid or base as previously described herein. The acid or basecan be added continuously, or in aliquots. The acid or base can be addedundiluted or as a mixture in water or organic solvent.

Industrial extraction of oil from the Athabasca oil sands produceswastewater comprising fines, or small particulates, in the oilextraction process. These fines can remain suspended in waste water andprevent recycling of water in an extraction process, or alternatively,prevent discharge of fines-laden wastewater into the environment.Accordingly, a method to promote rapid settling of fines, therebyallowing discharge of the wastewater from an extraction process, isdesirable. Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides amethod for precipitating fines contained in a vessel further containinga hydrocarbon-containing material and a aqueous composition or anextractant as described herein, comprising acidifying the contents ofsaid vessel to a pH of about 4.6 or less.

Any Composition of the Invention as described herein may be employed inan extraction process which produces fines-laden water. The resultantfines-laden water, which can further comprise hydrocarbon-containingmaterial, can then be acidified to reduce the pH of the fines-ladenwater to less than about 4.6, and precipitate the fines suspendedtherein. Acids which may be suitable for reducing the pH of thefines-laden water may include organic or inorganic acids. For example,the inorganic acids may include hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid,hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfurous acid, sulfuric acid,phosphoric acid, nitric acid and carbonic acid. Organic acids canalternatively be employed. Suitable organic acids include C₁ to C₂₀organic acids such as formic acid, citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid,tannic acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, andmixtures thereof.

The acid can be added in concentrated form, or as an aqueous solution.The acid is generally added to the solution in which the fines arepresent, and can be added with concomitant agitation. Alternatively, thesolution may be agitated after addition of the acid. Such agitation mayinclude mechanical agitation, or hydraulic mixing provided by pumpingand circulation of the fines-laden fluid in the vessel in which it iscontained.

The vessel may be a metal or polymer tank, or may be an earthen pit orexcavated reservoir, which may be lined to prevent fluid communicationof the wastewater with groundwater and/or subterranean water-nearingformations. After addition of the acid, and mixing to disperse the acidin solution, the solution is typically allowed to stand for a period oftime to allow the fines to settle, and for any hydrocarbon-containingmaterial released from the fines or present in the solution to float tothe surface. Settling times may range from about 1 minute to about 1week (e.g., from about 1 minute to about 2 minutes, from about 2 minutesto about 5 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes, from about10 minutes to about 20 minutes, from about 20 minutes to about 30minutes, from about 30 minutes to about 40 minutes, from about 40minutes to about 50 minutes, from about 50 minutes to about 1 hour, fromabout 1 hour to about 2 hours, from about 2 hours to about 3 hours, fromabout 3 hours to about 4 hours, from about 4 hours to about 5 hours,from about 5 hours to about 6 hours, from about 6 hours to about 7hours, from about 7 hours to about 8 hours, from about 8 hours to about9 hours, from about 9 hours to about 10 hours, from about 10 hours toabout 11 hours, from about 12 hours to about 12 hours, from about 12hours to about 1 day, from about 1 day to about 2 days, from about 2days to about 3 days, from about 3 days to about 4 days, from about 4days to about 5 days, from about 5 days to about 6 days, from about 6days to about 1 week, or any other value or range of values therein).Residual hydrocarbon-containing material released during or afteracidification and/or settling can be recovered by, e.g., skimming. Inother embodiments, remaining hydrocarbon-containing material may beseparated by centrifugation. In such processes, hydrocarbon-containingmaterial may be recovered from an extractant or aqueous compositionafter an extraction process; fines can be removed by lowering the pH;and then remaining hydrocarbon-containing material can be removed bycentrifugation. The remaining extractant or aqueous composition can thenbe recycled for reuse in an extraction process.

In other embodiments, the aqueous compositions or extractants furthercomprise a substrate, which can be present in the aqueous composition orextractant in a weight ratio of substrate:aqueous composition orextractant from about 0.01:1 to about 1:1, in one embodiment, from about0.1:1 to about 1:1. However, the substrate:aqueous composition orextractant ratio is not limited, and can be selected according to aparticular application and to minimize the amount of the aqueouscomposition or extractant employed.

Thus, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a methodfor extracting a hydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate,comprising contacting the substrate with a Composition of the Inventionunder conditions effective for extracting at least some of thehydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. In otherembodiments, the substrate is soil, sand, wood, rock, paper, skin, awaterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal, glass,porcelain, concrete or an animal. In some embodiments, the substrate isa waterbody. In other embodiments, the substrate is soil. In otherembodiments, the substrate is an animal. In some embodiments, the animalis a living animal. In one embodiment, the animal is a dead animal. Inother embodiments, the extracting comprises removing thehydrocarbon-containing substance from the surface of the substrate. Insome embodiments, the contacting occurs at an aqueous composition or asubstrate temperature of about 5° to about 50° C. In other embodiments,the method further comprises subjecting the aqueous composition or thesubstrate to agitation.

In one embodiment, the agitation is mixing. In certain embodiments,agitation comprises sonication. In other embodiments, agitation iseffected by microwave. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containingsubstance is grease, oil, coal tar, bitumen, coal tar sand, sludge,oil-contaminated sludge, light tar oil or creosote. In otherembodiments, the oil is automotive oil. In other embodiments, automotiveoil is synthetic automotive oil. In certain embodiments, the oil iscrude oil. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substancecomprises one or more petroleum distillates. In other embodiments, thehydrocarbon-containing substance is diesel fuel. In other embodiments,the hydrocarbon-containing substance is heating oil. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is jet fuel. In otherembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is aviation gasoline.In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is kerosene.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method forextracting a hydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate,comprising contacting the substrate with a Composition of the Inventionunder conditions effective for extracting at least some of thehydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. In certainembodiments, the substrate is plastic, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand,wood, rock, paper, skin, a waterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair,fabric, metal or an animal. In other embodiments, the substrate is awaterbody. In some embodiments, the substrate is soil. In otherembodiments, the substrate is an animal. In some embodiments, the animalis a living animal. In one embodiment, the animal is a dead animal. Incertain embodiments, extracting comprises removing thehydrocarbon-containing substance from the surface of the substrate. Insome embodiments, contacting occurs at an extractant or a substratetemperature of about 5° to about 90° C. In some embodiments, the methodfurther comprises subjecting the extractant or the substrate toagitation. In certain embodiments, the agitation is mixing. In someembodiments, the hydrocarbon-containing substance is grease, oil, coaltar, bitumen, coal tar sand, sludge, oil-contaminated sludge, light taroil or creosote. In other embodiments, the oil is automotive oil. Insome embodiments, the automotive oil is synthetic automotive oil. Insome embodiments, the oil is crude oil.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method for extractinga hydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate, comprisingcontacting the substrate with a Composition of the Invention underconditions effective for extracting at least some of thehydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. In someembodiments, extracting comprises removing a hydrocarbon-containingsubstance from the surface of the substrate. In other embodiments, thepresent methods for extracting hydrocarbon-containing substance from asubstrate, comprising contacting the substrate with an extractant of thepresent invention under conditions effective for extracting at leastsome of the hydrocarbon-containing substance from the substrate. Incertain embodiments, extracting comprises removing ahydrocarbon-containing substance from the surface of the substrate. Inanother embodiment, the present methods for remediating a substratecomprise contacting a substrate with an aqueous composition of thepresent invention under conditions effective for remediating thesubstrate. In some embodiments, remediating the substrate comprisessequestering one or more contaminants in the substrate. In otherembodiments, the present methods for remediating a substrate comprisecontacting the substrate with an extractant of the present inventionunder conditions effective for remediating the substrate. In someembodiments, remediating the substrate comprises sequestering one ormore contaminants in the substrate.

As described herein, another aspect of the present invention is a methodfor extracting a substance from a substrate comprises contacting thesubstrate with a Composition of the Invention under conditions effectivefor extracting at least some of the substance from the substrate,wherein the substance comprises a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid orfatty alcohol. In one embodiment, the substance is a protein, lipid,wax, fatty acid or fatty alcohol, and the substrate is plastic, rock,mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood, paper, skin, a waterbody,gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal, glass, ceramic,porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal. In some embodiments, thesubstance is tar, tar sand, coal tar, or asphalt, and the substrate isplastic, rock, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood, paper, skin, awaterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal, glass,ceramic, porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal. In otherembodiments, the substance is grease, and the substrate is plastic,rock, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood, paper, skin, a waterbody,gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal, glass, ceramic,porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal.

In another embodiment, a method for remediating a substrate from asubstance comprises contacting the substrate with a Composition of theInvention under conditions effective for remediating the substrate fromthe substance, wherein the substance comprises a protein, lipid, wax,fatty acid or fatty alcohol, and wherein the substrate is plastic, rock,mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood, paper, skin, a waterbody,gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal, glass, ceramic,porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal. In other embodiments, thesubstance is a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid or fatty alcohol, and thesubstrate is plastic, rock, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood,paper, skin, a waterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal,glass, ceramic, porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal. In someembodiments, the substance is tar, tar sand, coal tar, or asphalt, andthe substrate is plastic, rock, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood,paper, skin, a waterbody, gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal,glass, ceramic, porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal. In otherembodiments, the substance is grease, and the substrate is plastic,rock, mineral, bone, teeth, soil, sand, wood, paper, skin, a waterbody,gravel, mud, clay, plant, hair, fabric, metal, glass, ceramic,porcelain, a living animal or a dead animal.

In one embodiment, the substance comprises a protein. The protein cancomprise one or more amino acids. In some embodiments, the substance isa bodily fluid or plant extract.

In another embodiment, the substance comprises a lipid. The lipid can bea fat, for example a plant or animal fat; wax; sterol, for examplechlolesterol; fat-soluble vitamin; glyceride; or phospholipid. In oneembodiment, the glyceride is a monoglyceride, diglyceride, ortriglyceride. The glyceride can be saturated or unsaturated. The wax canbe an animal wax or plant wax. In some embodiments, the wax is apetroleum derived wax. The sterol can be a naturally occurring sterol,such as from a plant, animal or fungi. In another embodiment, the sterolis synthetic. The vitamin can be a vitamin A, D, E or K. In someembodiments, the substance is a fatty acid. The fatty acid can besaturated or unsaturated. In some embodiments, the lipid is ahigh-density lipid (HDL) or low-density lipid (LDL).

In some embodiments, the substance is from a plant source, such as atriglyceride from a plant source. In some embodiments, the substance isa fat, oil or grease from a plant source. The substance can behydrogenated oil, such as hydrogenated oil from a plant source. Theplant source can be a vegetable, fruit, nut, or seed. The plant sourcecan be an olive, palm, soybean, rapeseed, sunflower, peanut, cotton,coconut, corn, grape, hazelnut, flax, rice, safflower, or sesame. Insome embodiments, the substance is olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil,rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, cotton oil, coconut oil, cornoil, grape oil, hazelnut oil, flax oil, rice oil, safflower oil, orsesame oil.

In other embodiments, the substance is from an animal source, such as atriglyceride from an animal source. In some embodiments, the substanceis a fat, oil or grease from an animal source. In some embodiments, thesubstance is an animal fat, oil or grease. The substance can behydrogenated oil, such as hydrogenated oil from an animal source. Theanimal can be a fish, bird, or mammal.

In one embodiment, the substance is sebum. The Compositions of theInvention (optionally comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle) areuseful for extracting or removing sebum. In one embodiment, an effectiveamount of a Composition of the Invention (optionally comprising acosmetically acceptable vehicle) is applied to the skin of a subject inneed thereof for controlling or preventing the appearance or perceptionof excessive sebum secretion.

The Compositions of the Invention (optionally comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle) are useful for providing a skin benefit. In oneembodiment, a method for providing a skin benefit comprises applying tothe skin of a subject in need thereof an effective amount of aComposition of the Invention (optionally comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle). The skin can be the skin on the face, neck, chest,back, arms, hands, legs or scalp of a subject.

In some embodiments, providing a skin benefit comprises protecting orimproving the state of the skin, or preventing or treating imperfectionsof the skin, of a subject in need thereof. In other embodiments,providing a skin benefit comprises improving the appearance of oilyskin, inhibiting sebum secretion, or inhibiting microbial activity. Inother embodiments, providing a skin benefit comprises treating orpreventing a wound, acne, psoriasis, atopic skin, diabetic skin,dermatitis, eczema, xerotic skin, dry skin, or chaffed skin. In yetother embodiments, providing a skin benefit comprises increasedelasticity, increased firmness, decreased sagginess, decreased dryness,decreased flakiness, decreased fine lines or wrinkles, decreased pits ornodules, decreased damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, decreased agespots, or increased evenness in skin tone.

In some embodiments, an effective amount of a Composition of theInvention (optionally comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle) isused for treating rings under the eye, symptoms of aging, protecting theskin, increasing the detoxification of xenobiotics, intervening onpigmentation level, inhibiting melanogenesis, protecting the bodyagainst pollution, stimulating the detoxification systems, modulatingDHT levels, intervening on adipocytes, or promoting lipolysis.

A quantity of a Composition of the Invention, for example from 1 to 100mL, can be applied to the skin, from a suitable container or applicatorand, if necessary, it is then spread over and/or rubbed into the skinusing the hand or fingers or a suitable device.

In some embodiments, a Composition of the Invention (optionallycomprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle) is useful for controlling,preventing, or treating oily or greasy hair, or stimulating hair or bodyhair growth. The Composition of the Invention (optionally comprising acosmetically acceptable vehicle) can be applied to the scalp can be ashampoo or conditioner, such as those described herein. Thus, anotheraspect of the present invention is a method for controlling, preventing,or treating oily or greasy hair comprising applying to the scalp or hairof a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a Composition of theInvention (optionally comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle).Another aspect of the present invention is a method for promoting hairgrowth comprising applying to the scalp of a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of a Composition of the Invention (optionallycomprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle).

The subject may be suffering from a type of hair loss, such as alopecia.The subject may have considerable, temporary or permanent hair loss. Thehair loss may be induced by poor nutrition, emotional stress, hormoneimbalance, or medicinal drugs, such as cancer chemotherapy agents.

In some embodiments, the method for stimulating or promoting hair growthfurther comprises administering to the subject an additional agent. Theadministration of the additional agent can be topical or oral. Theadministration of the additional agent can be sequential or concurrentwith a Composition of the Invention (optionally comprising acosmetically acceptable vehicle). Thus, the additional agent can beadministered prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to, administrationor application of Composition of the Invention (optionally comprising acosmetically acceptable vehicle). In some embodiments, the additionalagent is in a composition with a Composition of the Invention(optionally comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle).

The additional agent can be minoxidil, procaine hydrochloride, niacin,pyrimidine 3-oxide compounds, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment,the additional agent is hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can beadministered in an amount effective to cleanse at least a portion of theskin. The cleansing can be removal of dirt, debris, air pollutants,desquamating cells, or cutaneous secretions of the skin. In oneembodiment, the hydrogen peroxide is topically administered as a 3%solution (by mass) to cleanse the skin before topically administering aComposition of the Invention (optionally comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle).

In another embodiment, the additional agent is a moisturizing agent,such as described herein. In yet another embodiment, the additionalagent is an exfoliant. Administering an exfoliant may help remove deador dying skin cells and further improve the skin's ability to absorb aComposition of the Invention (optionally comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle).

Application of a Composition of the Invention (optionally comprising acosmetically acceptable vehicle) to the scalp may be from 1 time to 3times every 24 hours, every week, or every month.

The Compositions of the Invention (optionally comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle) are useful for treating or preventing an oralcondition or disease. In one embodiment, a method for treating orpreventing a periodontal disease, dental plaque or dental decaycomprises administering to the oral cavity of a subject in need thereofan effective amount of a Composition of the Invention (optionallycomprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle). The periodontal diseasecan be gingivitis or periodontitis. The Composition of the Invention(optionally comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle) can beformulated as a toothpaste or mouthwash. In one embodiment, theComposition of the Invention (optionally comprising a cosmeticallyacceptable vehicle) further comprises fluoride or zinc ions.

The Compositions of the Invention are useful for healing wounds. In oneembodiment, a method for accelerating wound healing comprises contactinga wound of a subject with a Composition of the Invention (optionallycomprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle) under conditions effectivefor accelerating wound healing. The Composition of the Invention(optionally comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle), may becontained in an article, such as described herein. In some embodiments,the article is a bandage, absorptive dental roll, napkin, diaper, pad,wiping cloth, tissue wipe, premoistened towelette, undersheet, surgicaldressing, toilet paper or facial tissue.

The Compositions of the Invention are useful for purifying a mixturecomprising an alcohol and an impurity. In one embodiment, a method forpurifying a mixture comprising an alcohol and an impurity comprisescontacting the mixture with a Composition of the Invention underconditions effective for removing at least some of the impurity from themixture. In some embodiments, the impurity comprises an aldehyde,ketone, fusel oil, or inorganic salt. In some embodiments, the alcoholis methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butylor n-butyl alcohol. The mixture can be an alcoholic beverage, such as abeer, wine or alcoholic liquor. In one embodiment, the alcoholic liquoris distilled. The alcoholic liquor can be scotch, whiskey or rum. Insome embodiments, purification of a mixture results in an alcoholicbeverage with a different flavor, odor or color as compared to themixture prior to purification.

The substantially anhydrous Compositions of the Invention are useful asan agent that inhibits the agglomeration of a granulated product. Insome embodiments, the Composition of the Invention is an anti-cakingagent. Also provided herein are methods for inhibiting the agglomerationof a granulated product comprising, contacting the granulated productwith a substantially anhydrous Composition of the Invention underconditions effective for inhibiting agglomeration of the granulatedproduct.

A granulated product is a conglomeration of discrete solid, particles,in which the particles flow freely when dry, and the particlesagglomerate or clump when wet. The Composition of the Invention canimprove the resistance to humidity and improve the flowability of thegranulated product. The granulated product can comprise particles thatare less than 5 mm in size. In some embodiments, the granulated productcomprises particles that are less than 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm in size. Insome embodiments, the particles are less than 1, 5, 10, 100, 250 or 500μm in size. In some embodiments, the granulated product is a powder.

The granulated product can be a food or beverage product. The foodproduct can be salt, sugar, dry milk powder, flour, egg mix, pancakemix, cocoa, coffee powder, sugar substitute, powdered drink mix. In someembodiments, the granulated product is not a food product, such as roadsalt, fertilizer, powdered cosmetic or powdered detergent.

The Compositions of the Invention are useful as a plant fertilizer. Inone embodiment, the fertilizer comprises sand and a Composition of theInvention. In another embodiment, the fertilizer comprises soil and aComposition of the Invention. In some embodiments, the fertilizercomprises a Composition of the Invention and one or more water-solublemineral nutrients, such nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, ionicmagnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron or molybdenum. In someembodiments, the fertilizer comprises a Composition of the Invention andcompost. In other embodiments, the fertilizer comprises a Composition ofthe Invention and starch, fulvic acid, digested plant material, digestedlignin, soluble seaweed, cane sugar, malt, beet vinasse, molasses,water-soluble hydrocolloid polysaccharides, compost tea extracts,vermicompost, cellulose, chitosan, or mixtures thereof. In otherembodiments, the fertilizer may comprise a Composition of the Inventionand a mineral salt. The mineral salt can be ammonium nitrate; ammoniumphosphate; ammonium sulphate; calcium nitrate; calcium phosphate;calcium sulphate; magnesium nitrate; magnesium phosphate; magnesiumsulphate; potassium nitrate; potassium phosphate; potassium sulphate;iron sulphate; iron phosphate; iron glycinate; iron lignosulphate;chelated iron such as iron chelated via ethylene-diamine-tetra-aceticacid (EDTA) or iron chelated via diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(DTPA); and urea.

In some embodiments, the present invention also provides a fertilizer.The fertilizer comprises from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of a plantmaterial as described herein. In some embodiments, the plant materialcomprises a protein. In some embodiments, the fertilizer comprises about5 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 25 wt %,about 30 wt %, about 35 wt %, about 40 wt %, about 45 wt %, about 50 wt% of the plant material. In some embodiments, the plant material is hempseed.

The fertilizer can comprise a base in an amount of from about 3 wt % toabout 20 wt %, e.g., about 3 wt %, about 4 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 6wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt %, about 9 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 11wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13 wt %, about 14 wt %, about 15 wt %, about16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about 18 wt %, about 19 wt %, about 20 wt %.Bases which are useful are those described herein which are useful inthe aqueous solutions, extractants and substantially anhydrouscompositions.

The fertilizer can also comprise a sugar, a polysaccharide or molassesin an amount of from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, e.g., about 0.1 wt%, about 0.2 wt %, about 0.3 wt %, about 0.4 wt %, about 0.5 wt %, about0.6 wt %, about 0.7 wt %, about 0.8 wt %, about 0.9 wt %, about 1 wt %,about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %, about 4 wt %, about 5 wt %. Sugars andpolysaccharides which are useful in the present fertilizer include thosewhich are useful in the aqueous solutions, extractants and substantiallyanhydrous compositions as described herein.

The fertilizer can comprise from about 0.05 wt % to about 20 wt % of anadditive, e.g., about 0.1 wt %, about 0.2 wt %, about 0.3 wt %, about0.4 wt %, about 0.5 wt %, about 0.6 wt %, about 0.7 wt %, about 0.8 wt%, about 0.9 wt %, about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %, about 4 wt%, about 5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt %, about 9 wt %,about 10 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13 wt %, about 14 wt%, about 15 wt %, about 16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about 18 wt %, about 19wt %, about 20 wt %. Additives useful in the present fertilizer includethose which are useful in the aqueous solutions, extractants andsubstantially anhydrous compositions as described herein. Suitableadditives also include dolomitic lime, calcium carbonate and magnesiumcarbonate.

The fertilizer can comprise from about 0 wt % to about 25 wt % of guargum, e.g., about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %, about 4 wt %, about5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt %, about 9 wt %, about 10wt %, about 11 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13 wt %, about 14 wt %, about15 wt %, about 16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about 18 wt %, about 19 wt %,about 20 wt %, about 21 wt %, about 22 wt %, about 23 wt %, about 24 wt%, about 25 wt %.

The fertilizer can comprise from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt % of anitrogen source such as urea, e.g., about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3wt %, about 4 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt%, about 9 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13wt %, about 14 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about18 wt %, about 19 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 21 wt %, about 22 wt %,about 23 wt %, about 24 wt %, about 25 wt %. Other suitable nitrogensources can include nitrogen-containing organic compounds and inorganicnitrogen-containing salts.

The fertilizer can comprise from about 0.01 wt % to about 1 wt % of aniron-containing compound, e.g., about 0.01 wt %, about 0.05 wt %, about0.1 wt %, about 0.15 wt %, about 0.2 wt %, about 0.25 wt %, about 0.3 wt%, about 0.35 wt %, about 0.4 wt %, about 0.45 wt %, about 0.5 wt %,about 0.55 wt %, about 0.6 wt %, about 0.65 wt %, about 0.7 wt %, about0.75 wt %, about 0.8 wt %, about 0.85 wt %, about 0.9 wt %, about 0.95wt %, about 1.0 wt %. Iron compounds which are useful in the presentfertilizer include yellow iron, black iron, red iron, orange iron andbrown iron.

The fertilizer can also comprise from about 30 wt % to about 60 wt %water, e.g., about 30 wt %, about 31 wt %, about 32 wt %, about 33 wt %,about 34 wt %, about 35 wt %, about 36 wt %, about 37 wt %, about 38 wt%, about 39 wt %, about 40 wt %, about 41 wt %, about 42 wt %, about 43wt %, about 44 wt %, about 45 wt %, about 46 wt %, about 47 wt %, about48 wt %, about 49 wt %, about 50 wt %, about 51 wt %, about 52 wt %,about 53 wt %, about 54 wt %, about 55 wt %, about 56 wt %, about 57 wt%, about 58 wt %, about 59 wt %, about 60 wt %,

In one embodiment, the fertilizer comprises about 17 wt % of a plantmaterial, about 13 wt % urea, about 12 wt % guar gum, about 6 wt % NaOH,about 6 wt % S-type hydrated lime, about 1.5 wt % sugar or molasses,about 0.15 weight % red iron oxide, about 0.15 weight % black ironoxide, and 44.3 wt % water. In one embodiment, a Composition of theInvention is a fertilizer comprising about 17 wt % of a protein sourceas described herein, about 13 wt % urea, about 12 wt % guar gum, about 6wt % NaOH, about 6 wt % S-type hydrated lime, about 1.5 wt % sugar ormolasses, about 0.15 weight % red iron oxide, about 0.15 weight % blackiron oxide, and 44.3 wt % water.

Also provided herein is a method for making a plant fertilizer. In oneembodiment, the method comprises admixing with sand or soil aComposition of the Invention. In other embodiments, the methods compriseadmixing a Composition of the Invention and compost. In yet otherembodiments, the method comprises admixing a Composition of theInvention with sand; soil; one or more water-soluble mineral nutrients,such nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, ionic magnesium, iron,manganese, zinc, copper, boron or molybdenum; starch; fulvic acid;digested plant material; digested lignin; soluble seaweed; cane sugar;malt; beet vinasse; molasses; water-soluble hydrocolloidpolysaccharides; compost tea extracts; vermicompost; cellulose;chitosan; a mineral salt, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate,ammonium sulphate, calcium nitrate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulphate,magnesium nitrate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulphate, potassiumnitrate, potassium phosphate, potassium sulphate, iron sulphate, ironphosphate, iron glycinate, iron lignosulphate, chelated iron (such asiron chelated via ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) or ironchelated via diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)), or urea; or amixture thereof.

The present invention also provides methods for inducing plant growth,comprising contacting a plant seed, plant root, or soil in which a plantseed or root is present with a Composition of the Invention underconditions effective for inducing growth of the plant. The plant can bea flower, tree, or grass. In some embodiments, the plant produces, or isused as, an agricultural product, such as a vegetable, fruit or nut.

The Compositions of the Invention are useful for preventing erosion.Provided herein are methods for preventing soil, sand or road surfaceerosion, comprising applying to the soil, sand or road surface aComposition of the Invention under conditions effective to preventerosion of the soil, sand or road surface. Erosion of soils, beaches andpaved and unpaved road surfaces can be caused by environmentalconditions, such as wind, rain, water flow, temperature change (e.g.freeze-thaw cycle) and physical traffic.

Soil, sand, dust, and other ground surfaces can be stabilized againsterosion by treating these ground surfaces with a Composition of theInvention. The soil surface to be treated may be tilled or untilled andmay contain plants or vegetation. The ground surface may be unpaved dirtand gravel road surfaces or paved road surfaces. In another embodiment,the ground surface is a paved, asphalt or concrete road surface. AComposition of the Invention can inhibit, reduce or prevent the erosion,rutting, cracking, formation of potholes, and washboarding of the roadsurface. A Composition of the Invention can be coated onto the soil orroad surface. In another embodiment, a Composition of the Invention canbe admixed with the soil, asphalt or concrete during preparation of thesoil, asphalt or cement and the resulting admixture applied to where thesoil is to be used or to the road.

Erosion of beaches caused by rainfall, wind and tidal water flows,including severe environmental conditions experienced during hurricanes,can also be inhibited, reduced or prevented by contacting the beachsurface with a Composition of the Invention. A Composition of theInvention can be coated onto the beach surface. In another embodiment, aComposition of the Invention can be admixed with the sand of the beachand the admixture applied to the beach surface.

In one embodiment, the soil, sand (such as in a beach area), or roadsurface is treated with a Composition of the Invention. The Compositioncan be substantially anhydrous or aqueous. The Composition can bemodified by adding up to 5%, such as about 0.125% to 5%, by weight ofparticulate metal oxides or sulfides containing metals. In oneembodiment, the metal oxide or sulfide is any valent form of iron oxideand iron sulfide. These metal oxides or sulfides can be admixed with aComposition of the Invention during formation of the Composition of theInvention, or be subsequently added to and mixed. The admixture appliedto the ground surfaces may additionally contain one or more additives,such as fillers, pigments, stabilizers, thickening agents, buffers,fertilizers, mineral salts and plant protection agents. Examples offillers include waxes, paraffins, resin, lignin stabilizers, SiO₂,drilling muds and borax (sodium borate). In some embodiments, borax isseparately applied as a post-treatment onto a ground surface after theground surface has been treated with a Composition of the Invention. Insome embodiments, the additive(s) are up to 20% by weight of theresulting composition.

A Composition of the Invention is useful to coat comminuted rock, suchas crushed stone or gravel, to suppress dust. A Composition of theInvention can be applied to the surface of the crushed stone or gravelduring the pulverization or the crushing procedure to reduce theemission of dust during comminution of the larger stone pieces. AComposition of the Invention can be in solution can be sprayed onto thesurface of the gravel or crushed stone or after the deposition of thegravel or crushed stone on a ground surface such as a road bed, drivewayor parking lot. A Composition of the Invention can be applied at a rateof 5 to 200 grams of the Composition per 100 ft² of stone surface to becoated.

In some embodiments, the ground surfaces are stabilized against erosionby treating the ground surface with 1 to 6000 grams of a Composition ofthe Invention per 100 ft² of ground surface area, such as from 5 to 20grams of a Composition of the Invention per 100 ft² of soil or roadground surface area and 2000 to 6000 grams, such as 2000 to 4000 gramsof a Composition of the Invention per 100 ft² of beach or sandy groundsurface area. Beach areas to be stabilized against erosion may requirehigher end application rates due to the porosity of the sand and toprovide stabilization of the sand against destructive wave action. AComposition of the Invention can be applied in solution by spraying orin granular form by spreading means such as a broadcast spreader or thelike.

In some embodiments, a Composition of the Invention is added in granularform or in solution directly to cementitious or asphalt compositions inamounts of the Composition ranging from 0.0002 to 1%, such as 0.0001 to0.1% by weight of the total cementitious or asphalt composition. Theaddition of a Composition of the Invention can improve tensile strengthand internal adhesion properties of cement or asphalt. The incorporationof a Composition of the Invention into cement and asphalt can increasethe elasticity and longevity of the subsequently formed cement orasphalt product or cementitious or asphalt paving coating, therebyreducing the likelihood of the product or coating to crack. AComposition of the Invention can also be added to the dry cement orasphalt during formation.

The following non-limiting examples illustrate various aspects of thepresent invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

An illustrative aqueous composition of the invention comprising plantmaterial, but not comprising polysaccharide other than that present inor derived from the plant material, was prepared as follows. Citric acid(4.91 grams) was dissolved in 0.714 kg of 70% isopropanol at about 23°C. Corn gluten meal (2.28 kg) was added, and the resultant mixture wasallowed to stir for 2 hours. 2.844 kg of a 50% aqueous sodium hydroxidesolution was added to 13.6 kg of water, the resultant diluted sodiumhydroxide solution was added to the isopropanol/corn gluten mealmixture, and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours.Sodium chloride (9.1 g) was then added, also with stirring. Theresultant mixture was then allowed to stand an additional 2 hours.S-type hydrated lime (90.8 g) was then added with stirring, and theresultant mixture was stirred until uniform. The solids were allowed tosettle, and the supernatant was decanted to provide the illustrativeaqueous composition as the decanted supernatant.

Example 2

An illustrative aqueous composition of the invention comprising plantmaterial and polysaccharide was prepared as follows. Citric acid (4.91grams) was dissolved in 0.714 kg of 70% isopropanol at about 23° C. Corngluten meal (2.28 kg) was added, and the resultant mixture was allowedto stir for 2 hours. 2.844 kg of a 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solutionwas added to 13.6 kg of water, the resultant diluted sodium hydroxidesolution was added to the isopropanol/corn gluten meal mixture, and theresultant mixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours. Guar gum (113.5 g)wetted with 70% isopropanol was then added to the isopropanol/corngluten meal mixture with stirring. Sodium chloride (9.1 g) was thenadded, also with stirring. The resultant mixture was then allowed tostand an additional 2 hours. S-type hydrated lime (90.8 g) was thenadded with stirring, and the resultant mixture was stirred untiluniform. The solids were allowed to settle, and the supernatant wasdecanted to provide the illustrative aqueous composition as the decantedsupernatant.

Example 3

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the resultant mixture was13.2. The mixture was then stirred using a magnetic stir bar for 135minutes at about 23° C. After 15 minutes of stirring, some extraction ofoil from the oil sand was observed. Complete extraction of the oil, asdetermined by the observation of clean sand in the bottom of the vesselafter a brief settling period, was not observed. FIGS. 1A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 1A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 1B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting at least some hydrocarbon-containing oil from asubstrate.

Example 4

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the mixture was thenadjusted to about 11.1 with 1M citric acid. The mixture was then stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 135 minutes at about 23° C. After 15minutes of stirring, some extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved. Complete extraction of the oil, as determined by theobservation of clean sand in the bottom of the vessel after a briefsettling period, was observed after 60 min of stirring. FIGS. 2A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 2A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 2B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil from a substrate.

Example 5

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the mixture was thenadjusted to about 9.1 with 1M citric acid. The mixture was then stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 135 minutes at about 23° C. After 15minutes of stirring, some extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved. Complete extraction of the oil, as determined by theobservation of clean sand in the bottom of the vessel after a briefsettling period, was observed after 60 min of stirring. FIGS. 3A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 3A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 3B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil from a substrate.

Example 6

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the mixture was thenadjusted to about 6.9 with 1M citric acid. The mixture was then stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 135 minutes at about 23° C. After 15minutes of stirring, some extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved. Complete extraction of the oil, as determined by theobservation of clean sand in the bottom of the vessel after a briefsettling period, was observed after 60 min of stirring. FIGS. 4A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 4A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 4B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil from a substrate.

Example 7

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 2 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the resultant mixture was13.2. The mixture was then stirred using a magnetic stir bar for 135minutes at about 23° C. After 15 minutes of stirring, some extraction ofoil from the oil sand was observed. Complete extraction of the oil, asdetermined by the observation of clean sand in the bottom of the vesselafter a brief settling period, was not observed. FIGS. 5A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 5A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 5B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting at least some hydrocarbon-containing oil from asubstrate.

Example 8

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 2 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the mixture was thenadjusted to about 11.1 with 1M citric acid. The mixture was then stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 135 minutes at about 23° C. After 15minutes of stirring, some extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved. Complete extraction of the oil, as determined by theobservation of clean sand in the bottom of the vessel after a briefsettling period, was observed after 60 min of stirring. FIGS. 6A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 6A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 6B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil from a substrate.

Example 9

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 2 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the mixture was thenadjusted to about 9.1 with 1M citric acid. The mixture was then stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 135 minutes at about 23° C. After 15minutes of stirring, some extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved. Complete extraction of the oil, as determined by theobservation of clean sand in the bottom of the vessel after a briefsettling period, was observed after 60 min of stirring. FIGS. 7A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 7A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 7B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil from a substrate.

Example 10

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 2 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. To the extractantwas added 5 g of Athabasca oil sand. The pH of the mixture was thenadjusted to about 7 with 1M citric acid. The mixture was then stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 135 minutes at about 23° C. After 15minutes of stirring, some extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved. Complete extraction of the oil, as determined by theobservation of clean sand in the bottom of the vessel after a briefsettling period, was observed after 60 min of stirring. FIGS. 8A-B arephotographs showing a side view of the mixture in the vessel after 60min of stirring then briefly allowing the mixture to settle (FIG. 8A),and a top view of the inside of the vessel after decanting thesupernatant (FIG. 8B), also after 60 min of stirring. This exampledemonstrates that an illustrative Composition of the Invention is usefulfor extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil from a substrate.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated analogs areubiquitous environmental pollutants. They are in fossil fuels, and theirby-products can enter the environment from natural seeps or runoff fromasphalt. Incomplete combustion of organic materials can result intransporting these compounds over long distances as gaseous molecules ororganically-bound particulate matter. In addition, there are tens ofthousands of coal-tar contaminated gas plants worldwide that are andwill continue to contribute to PAH pollution.

Some PAHs are toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic, and therefore poserisk to human health and the environment. Alkylated PAHs have been shownto contribute substantially to the toxicity of PAH mixtures, in somecases accounting for 80% of the toxic burden. Similarly, PASHbioaccumulates and can be toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic.

The US EPA provides guidelines for estimating the hazards posed bycontaminated soils and sediments based on the concentration of 18 parentPAH and 16 C1 to C4 alkylated homologs. Thus, the removal and/orrecovery of PAH is of importance in the remdiation of environmentallycompromised sites and/or in the extraction of oil. The followingExamples 11 and 12 demonstrate that illustrative Compositions of theInvention are effective for removing or extracting PAH from coal tar orfrom Athabasca oil sand.

Example 11

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. Athabasca oilsand (5 g) was added to the vessel. The resultant mixture was stirredusing a magnetic stir bar for 4 hr at about 23° C., and an oil ball wasformed. The PAH content of the oil sand was measured by GC-MS before andafter extraction, to determine the extractant's extraction efficiency.PAHs whose concentration was detected include naphthalene, fluorene,phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene, and C₁-C₄ homologs thereof. A C₁ homologof a PAH is a PAH having a methyl group. A C₂ homolog of a PAH is a PAHhaving, for example, an ethyl group or two methyl groups. A C₃ homologof a PAH is a PAH having, for example, a methyl and an ethyl group,three methyl groups, an n-propyl group or an i-propyl group. A C₄homolog of a PAH is a PAH having, for example, two ethyl groups, fourmethyl groups, an ethyl group and two methyl groups, a methyl group andan n-propyl group, a methyl group and an i-propyl group, an n-butylgroup, a sec-butyl group, and i-butyl group or a t-butyl group. Theresults of these analyses are shown in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 PAH Concentrations in Oil Sand Before and After Extraction (μgPAH/g Sand) Before Extraction After Extraction PAH (μg/g) (μg/g)Naphthalene not detected not detected C₁ homolog not detected notdetected C₂ homolog not detected not detected C₃ homolog not detectednot detected C₄ homolog not detected not detected Fluorene not detectednot detected C₁ homolog 3.3 not detected C₂ homolog not detected notdetected C₃ homolog not detected not detected C₄ homolog not detectednot detected Phenanthrene 3.6 not detected C₁ homolog 24.1  0.4 C₂homolog 38.9  0.6 C₃ homolog 47.2  0.7 C₄ homolog 7.7 not detectedPyrene 5.6 not detected C₁ homolog 2.1 not detected C₂ homolog notdetected not detected C₃ homolog not detected not detected C₄ homolognot detected not detected Chrysene 2.7 not detected C₁ homolog 9.0 notdetected C₂ homolog 9.2 not detected C₃ homolog not detected notdetected C₄ homolog not detected not detected

This example demonstrates that an illustrative Composition of theInvention is useful for extracting PAH-containing oil from a substrate.

Based on the low PAH content of the Athabasca oil sand, as shown inExample 11 above, relative to coal tar, as shown in Example 12, below,it was important to confirm for a larger group of PAH if the percentreduction in PAH content is characteristic of the present extractionmethods employing Compositins of the Invention. Thus, a coal tar sandwas extracted as described in Example 12, below.

Example 12

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. Coal tar sandfrom a North Carolina gasification plant site (5 g, 15 wt % coal tar)was added to the extractant. The resultant mixture was stirred using amagnetic stir bar for 90 minutes at about 23° C. Extraction of the coaltar from the sand was observed after 10 minutes, and a ball of coal tarwas observed at 90 minutes. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)content of the coal tar sand was measured by GC-MS before and afterabove-described extraction to determine the extractant's extractionefficiency. The results of these analyses are shown in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 PAH Concentrations in Coal Tar Sand Before and After Extraction(mg PAH/kg) Sand) Before After % PAH Extraction Extraction ExtractionAcenaphthene 1.3 0.0 100 Acenaphthylene 392.4 7.4 98.1 Anthracene 418.88.5 98.0 benz[a]anthracene 299.9 6.7 97.8 benzo[a]pyrene 216.1 4.8 97.8Benzo[b]fluoranthene 103.9 2.6 97.5 benzo[ghi]perylene 77.1 1.7 97.9benzo[k]fluoranthene 126.6 2.6 98.0 Chrysene 299.3 6.8 97.7dibenz[ah]anthracene 23.2 0.4 98.1 Fluoranthene 712.5 11.7 98.4 Fluorene419.5 8.3 98.0 Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene 79.9 1.5 98.1 Naphthalene 502.58.1 98.4 Phenanthrene 1444.5 31.4 97.8 Pyrene 853.2 15.1 98.2

This example demonstrates that an illustrative Composition of theInvention is useful for extracting PAH-containing coal tar from asubstrate.

The percent decrease in PAH content in the tar sand as shown in Example12, above, was consistent from homolog to homolog. Since theconcentration of the various PAHs measured decreases in similar amounts,these data indicate that the extractant removes PAH from the coal tarsand without selectivity.

Example 13

Athabasca oil sand (5 g) was added to a 100 ml glass beaker. Anextractant of a mixture of the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g)in water (47.5 g) was added to the Athabasca oil sand (5 g) at about 23°C. FIGS. 9 and 10 are photographs showing a top-down (FIG. 9) and side(FIG. 10) view of the contents in the beaker before stirring (see alsowhite magnetic stir bar in photograph). Evident in FIGS. 9 and 10 is thelumpiness of the oil sands, and that the sand is completely surroundedby oil. Also shown are air bubbles, produced upon addition of theextractant to the oil sands. In contrast, no bubbles appeared whenpouring merely water over the oil sands or when pouring the extractantinto an empty beaker. The extractant was yellow in color.

The mixture of extractant and oil sand was then stirred. FIG. 11 is aphotograph showing the contents of the beaker after stirring for 4 min,then allowing most of the solids to settle. FIG. 11 shows stringers ofoil separating from sand. This result is consistent with conventional,elevated temperature, water-based oil sand extraction processes. FIG. 11shows separation occurring at room temperature within the same 5 minutetimeframe as in current conventional, elevated temperature, water-basedoil sand extraction processes. Evident is the change in color of thesolution and the appearance of loosely scattered “free” oil and sandparticles from the lumpy oil sands. As particles settle, oil-containingsands sit on top of “cleaner” sand as it is beginning to separate fromthe lumpier oil sands.

FIG. 12 is a photograph showing the contents of the beaker afterstirring for 10 minutes. Evident are longer stringers of “free” oilseparated from the sands. Conversely, FIG. 13 is a photograph showingsand “free” of oil that has settled to the bottom of the beaker a fewminutes after stirring was stopped. FIG. 14 is a photograph showing theagglomerating oil deposits sitting on top of the sand after decantingthe solution into another beaker.

FIGS. 15-16 are photographs showing the contents of the beaker afterstirring 30 minutes and then decanting the solution into a secondbeaker. FIG. 15 is a photograph of “free” oil sticking to the glass ofthe beaker in which the oil sand and extractant were stirred, afterdecanting the extractant liquid comprising some extracted oil into asecond beaker. FIG. 16 is a photograph showing the remaining sand andoil in the beaker in which the oil sand and extractant were stirredafter decanting the extractant liquid comprising some extracted oil intothe second beaker. As shown in FIG. 16, the remaining oil in the bottomof the beaker begins to pool as a dense, non-aqueous phase liquid(DNAPL), which, for the most part, has separated from the sand.

FIG. 17 is a photograph showing the sand, oil and magnetic stir barremaining in the beaker after stirring for 1 hour and decanting theresultant supernatant. FIG. 18 is a photograph showing the oil remainingon the glass of the first beaker after transferring the sand, oil andextractant to a second beaker.

This example demonstrates that an illustrative Composition of theInvention is useful for extracting oil from Athabasca oil sands.

Example 14

Athabasca oil sand (5 g comprising 15±6 wt % oil and 83±6% sand) wascombined with 50 mL of toluene and stirred at about 23° C. This tolueneextraction was repeated seven times for each 5 g sample of Athabasca oilsand. The extractions were performed in triplicate (i.e., threedifferent samples). A total of 2% of the mass of the oil sand was lostduring separation of “free” oil from sand. As reported below, mass ofoil (wt %) or mass of sand (wt %) are reported as the mass percent ofeach versus the total sample weight (i.e., mass of oil=oil extractedfrom Athabasca oil sand (g)/total mass of original Athabasca oil sandsample (g)×100; mass of sand=mass of sand remaining after extraction(g)/mass of original Athabasca oil sand sample (g)×100). Variation amongthe three extractions is reported as RSD (relative standard deviation).A summary of these analyses is shown below in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Mass Percent Oil and Sand in Athabasca Oil Sand by SolventExtraction Extraction 1 Extraction 2 Extraction 3 Mass of Oil (wt %) 16%16% 14% Mass of Sand (wt %) 84% 82% 84% Average Mass of 15% Average Massof 83% Oil (wt %) Sand (wt %) RSD  6% RSD  1%

The Athabasca oil sand was also analyzed by Alberta Innovates—TechnologyFutures of Canada to determine its total oil, water and solids content,as shown below in Table 4:

TABLE 4 Mass Percent Oil, Water and Solids and Sand in Athabasca OilSand by Solvent Extraction Total Athabasca Total Mass Total Oil SandRecovered Oil Water Solids Oil Water Solids Recovery (grams) (grams)(grains) (grams) (grams) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (%) 87.03 86.18 10.68 1.0074.50 12.27 1.15 85.6 99.02

In a glass vessel, the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g) wascombined with water (47.5 g) to provide an extractant. Athabasca oilsand (5 g) was added to the extractant. The mixture of oil sand andextractant was stirred using a magnetic stir bar for 4 hr at about 23°C. Oil recovery extraction efficiency after 4 hr stirring, based ontotal oil present in the Athabasca oil sand, was 84±10 wt % based on theoil sand composition as shown in Table 3, above. However, if the oilsand composition data from the analyses performed by AlbertaInnovates—Technology Futures of Canada in Table 4 above are used as thebaseline for oil content in the oil sands, the extraction efficiency ofan illustrative Composition of the Invention approaches 100%. Thesefindings are impressive when contrasted with commercial recoveries of80-95 wt % of oil from oil sands given that the present illustrativeComposition of the Invention was employed at room temperature, whereascommercial extractions processes operate between 35° C. and 80° C. andneed surfactants, steam, and air.

The particle-size distribution of the solids in the Athabasca oil sandswas also determined (FIG. 19). The values from the particle sizedistribution analysis FIG. 19 were as follows:

Volume Statistics (Arithmetic) Calculations from 0.375 μm to 2000 μmVolume: 100% S.D.: 59.13 μm Mean: 121.8 μm Variance:  3496 μm² Median:127.9 μm C.V.: 48.5% Mean/Median ratio: 0.953 Skewness: −0.365 Leftskewed Mode: 153.8 μm Kurtosis: −0.462 Platykurtic d₁₀: 24.59 μm d₅₀:127.9 μm d₉₀: 194.4 μm <10% <25% <50% <75% <90% 24.59 μm 87.78 μm 127.9μm 164.1 μm 194.4 μm

In summary, these findings show that an illustrative Composition of theInvention can provide at least as efficient extraction of oil fromAthabasca oil sand relative to conventional, elevated temperature,water-based oil sand extraction processes.

Example 15

Athabasca oil sand (5 g) was combined with water (50 g) and stirred 4 hrat room temperature. The resultant mixture did not comprise aComposition of the Invention. No extraction of oil from the oil sand wasobserved.

Example 16

To quantify the amount of protein present in illustrative aqueouscompositions of the invention, a Biuret assay was employed. Each aqueouscomposition described in Table 5, below, was assayed to determine totalprotein concentration in parts per thousand (ppt). In each experiment, afirst solution was prepared by dissolving 3.46 g of cupric sulfate in 20mL of 50° C. water. A second solution was prepared by dissolving 34.6 gof sodium citrate and 20.0 g of sodium carbonate in 80 mL of 50° C.water. After allowing the first and second solutions to cool to 23° C.,the first and second solutions were combined and mixed, yielding theBiuret assay reagent. Commercially sourced zein was dissolved in 70%isopropanol, and a calibration curve using various concentrations ofzein was constructed. To measure the concentration of protein in thevarious aqueous compositions listed in Table 5, comprising as defined inExample 24 below, one mL of the aqueous composition was admixed with 1ml of a 6 parts:100 (weight/weight) sodium hydroxide solution. To thismixture was added 0.4 mL of the Biuret assay reagent; providing a totalvolume was 2.4 mL. The test mixture's absorbance was measured at 545 nmin a 1 cm polystyrene cuvette after approximately 90 minutes. Theabsorbance was correlated to the calibration curve to provide proteinconcentration in the test mixture in parts per thousand. The results ofthe Biuret assay experiments are shown below:

TABLE 5 Protein concentration of Illustrative Aqueous Compositions asDetermined via Biuret Assay. Mass of Protein Aqueous Protein Mass ofProtein Concentration Composition Source NaOH (g) Source (g) (ppt) 4.1 Corn Gluten 15.9 39.8 53.4 Meal 10.2.1 Corn Gluten 15.9 19.9 41.3 Meal12.2.6 Wheat Germ 45.0 19.9 35.4 12.2.2 Wheat Germ 30.0 19.9 30.0 12.1.6Wheat Germ 45.0 19.9 32.5 13.2.4 Flax Seed 15.9 19.9 21.1 Meal  2.1.7Corn Gluten 15.9 19.9 23.0 Meal 13.2.3 Flax Seed 45.0 19.9 15.5 Meal

Example 17

Approximately 5 ml of light tar oil obtained from an industrial oilstorage tank in New Jersey (light tar oil is an oil having a viscositysimilar to room-temperature honey or syrup, which is less dense thanwater, and is pourable) was introduced into each of two glass beakers.The light tar oil, while less dense than water, adhered to the bottom ofthe glass beaker. To the first beaker was added approximately 50 ml ofwater (labeled “water”). To the second beaker was added approximately 50ml of a solution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and95 parts water by weight (labeled “Example 1”).

FIG. 20 is a series of photographs showing the effects of a solutioncomprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water byweight versus water on light tar oil. The first photograph, on the farleft, shows the light tar oil in the bottom of a glass beaker before theaddition of either water or a Composition of the Invention. The top rowof photographs is a time-lapse set of images showing the effects ofadding water to light tar oil as described. Although the mechanicaleffect of pouring water spreads the light tar oil apart, it does notdisperse the light tar oil in solution. As shown in FIG. 20, stirringwith a glass pipette does not disperse the light tar oil; instead thelight tar oil sticks to the beaker and the pipette. After vigorousstirring with the pipette, only small balls of light tar oil are formed,which eventually float to the surface.

In contrast, the bottom row of photographs in FIG. 20 illustrates theeffect of a solution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1and 95 parts water by weight on the light tar oil. Immediately uponaddition, “stringers” of light tar oil begin to from the tar oil and arereleased from the mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker.Stirring the mixture with a glass pipette, as shown, releases morestringers, and the mixture becomes dark with the amount of releasedlight tar oil. After allowing the mixture to stand for approximately 20seconds, the light tar oil begins to float to the top of the mixture.This experiment illustrates the ability of a Composition of theInvention to remove light tar oil from a substrate.

Example 18

Approximately 5 ml of coal tar obtained from a utility plant in NorthCarolina was introduced into each of two glass beakers. The coal taradhered to the bottom of the glass beaker. To the first beaker was addedapproximately 50 ml of water (labeled “water”). To the second beaker wasadded approximately 50 ml of a solution comprising 5 parts of thecomposition of Example 1 and 95 parts water by weight (labeled “Ex. 1”).

FIG. 21 is a series of photographs showing the effects of a solutioncomprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water byweight versus water on coal tar. The first photograph, on the far left,shows the coal tar in the bottom of a glass beaker before the additionof either water or a Composition of the Invention. The top row ofphotographs is a time-lapse set of images showing the effects of addingwater to coal tar as described. The mechanical effect of pouring wateron coal tar does not disperse any of the coal tar in solution. As shown,stirring with a glass pipette also does not disperse the coal tar;instead the coal tar sticks to the beaker and the pipette. Aftervigorous stirring with the pipette, no coal tar is released from themass adhered to the bottom of the beaker.

In contrast, the bottom row of photographs in FIG. 21 illustrates theeffect of a solution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1and 95 parts water by weight on the coal tar. Upon stirring, the coaltar forms stringers in solution. The solution darkens with increasedstirring, as more coal tar is liberated from the mass of coal taradhered to the bottom of the beaker. Upon standing, the coal tar formsballs, which sink to the bottom of the beaker. This experimentillustrates the ability of a Composition of the Invention to remove coaltar from a substrate.

Example 19

Approximately 10 ml of oil-contaminated sludge, comprising sediment andoil, was introduced into each of two glass beakers. To the first beakerwas added approximately 50 ml of water (labeled “water”). To the secondbeaker was added approximately 50 ml of a solution comprising 5 parts ofthe composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water by weight (labeled “Ex.1”).

FIG. 22 is a series of photographs showing the effects of a solutioncomprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water byweight versus water on oil-contaminated sludge. The first photograph, onthe far left, shows the oil-contaminated sludge in the bottom of a glassbeaker before the addition of either water or a Composition of theInvention. The top row of photographs is a time-lapse set of imagesshowing the effects of adding water to oil-contaminated sludge asdescribed. The mechanical effect of pouring water on theoil-contaminated sludge breaks up the sludge slightly, but even withsubsequent stirring, the majority of the oil-contaminated sludge remainsadhered to the bottom of the beaker and the oil from theoil-contaminated sludge does not disperse in the solution. As shown,stirring with a glass pipette does not disperse the oil in theoil-contaminated sludge.

In contrast, the bottom row of photographs in FIG. 22 illustrates theeffect of a solution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1and 95 parts water by weight on the oil-contaminated sludge. Uponstirring, the solution darkens, and oil is liberated from theoil-contaminated sludge. This experiment illustrates the ability of aComposition of the Invention to remove oil from oil-contaminated sludge.

Example 20

Athabasca oil sand (5 g) was added to a 100 ml glass beaker. 50 ml of anextractant made by admixing the aqueous composition of Example 1 (2.5 g)and water (47.5 g) was added to the Athabasca oil sand at about 23° C.The resultant mixture was stirred for 2 hrs. After stirring and allowingthe solids to settle, the mixture was decanted and the extracted oil andsand were separated, then dried and weighed to determine recovery ofoil. The supernatant recovered after stirring was reserved. A secondsample of Athabasca oil sand and clean stir bar was added to a cleanbeaker, the reserved supernatant was added to the beaker, and theresultant mixture was stirred at 1000 rpm for 2 hours with a magneticstir bar. This extraction, recovery, and re-use of the reservedsupernatant was repeated for a total of 6 extraction iterations. Table6, below, reports the percent of oil recovered, where the reservedsupernatant is re-used for multiple sequential extractions of separatesamples of Athabasca oil sands.

TABLE 6 Recovery of oil when extractant is used iteratively. Trial 1Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 wt % of oil 90% 89% 86% 99% 93%106% recovered Average 94% RSD  8%

As can be seen from the results presented in Table 6 above, the totalrecovery of oil from each 5 g sample of Athabasca oil sand does notchange within error over successive extractions with the sameextractant. This experiment illustrates the ability of a Composition ofthe Invention to be reused to remove oil from Athabasca oil sands.

Example 21

Approximately 5 g of Athabasca oil sand (containing 15 wt % oil), 50 mlof a solution comprising 5 parts of the composition of Example 1 and 95parts water by weight, and a stir bar were added to a small glass beakerand stirred for 10 minutes. The small beaker was placed inside a largerbeaker, and the mixture in the small beaker was aerated by introducingair into the mixture via a fritted glass bubbler at 0.15 L/min for 10min. The aeration formed an oil-entrained froth which spilled over thesides of the small beaker into the larger beaker. The froth and oil inthe larger beaker, and the sand and oil remaining in the small beaker,were each separately collected, dried, and then extracted with a 50/50(v/v) mixture of toluene and dichloromethane. After removal of thetoluene/dichloromethane solvent mixture under vacuum, the percent massof oil recovered from each of the small and larger beakers wascalculated to determine the amount of oil carried from the small beakerto the larger beaker by the froth generated during aeration. FIG. 23 isa process flow diagram illustrating the process employed for frothingand extracting oil from Athabasca oils sands. Forty-three wt % of theoil present in the 5 g of Athabasca oil sand was found to have beentransported from the small beaker to the larger beaker by the frothgenerated during aeration. This amount is significant. Unlike theindustrial process described herein, wherein oil sands are treated(e.g., stirred with high pH water and aerated) multiple times to removeoil therefrom, the present 43 wt % recovery was effected in a singleaeration step. This example illustrates the ability of a Composition ofthe Invention to remove oil from Athabasca oil sand using aeration.

FIG. 24 is a series of photographs from three aeration experimentsperformed as described above, but without recovery and quantification ofoil in the small and larger beakers, to qualitatively assess thefrothing properties of the present Compositions of the Invention whenaerated. The experiments employed (i) a solution comprising 5 parts ofthe composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water by weight (labeled “Ex.1”), (ii) a solution comprising 5 parts of composition 2.2.8 (asdescribed in Example 24 below) and 95 parts water by weight (labeled“2.2.8”), and (iii) a solution comprising 5 parts of composition 8.1 (asdescribed in Example 24 below) and 95 parts water by weight (labeled“8.1”). All three photographs in FIG. 25 show froth with entrained oilbeing carried out of the small beaker and into the larger beaker. Thisexample illustrates the ability of Compositions of the Invention toremove oil from Athabasca oil sand with aeration.

Example 22

Approximately 5 g of coal tar sand was placed in a glass beaker. 50 mlof an extractant made by admixing the aqueous composition of Example 1(2.5 g) and water (47.5 g) was added to the beaker at about 23° C. Theresultant mixture was stirred for 2 hours, then aerated for 10 minutesas described in Example 21. FIG. 25 is a series of two photographsillustrating the results. Coal tar from the coal tar sand is initiallycarried out with the froth, but its lower portion contains little or nocoal tar (see photograph on the left in FIG. 25). After brieflyagitating the sand and coal tar at the bottom of the beaker duringaeration of the mixture, additional coal tar was carried out by thefroth produced during aeration (see photograph on the right in FIG. 25).This example illustrates the ability of a Composition of the Inventionto remove coal tar from coal tar sand with aeration.

Example 23

FIG. 26 is a series of photographs showing the settling effect onsuspended fines by reducing the pH of a solution comprising 5 parts ofthe composition of Example 1 and 95 parts water by weight, afterextraction and removal of extracted oil from a 5 g sample of Athabascaoil sand. Athabasca oil sand (5 g) was added to a 100 ml glass beaker.50 ml of an extractant made by admixing the aqueous composition ofExample 1 (2.5 g) and water (47.5 g) was added to the Athabasca oil sandat about 23° C. The resultant mixture was stirred for 2 hrs. Afterstirring, the mixture was decanted, extracted oil and sand were removedfrom the decanted mixture, and the remaining mixture, comprisingsuspended fines, was placed in a 100 ml glass beaker, was then acidifiedfrom pH 13 to pH 4.7. The pH of the mixture was then adjusted to 4.6,and as shown in FIG. 26, the fines in the mixture were precipitated overa 160 second time period. In addition, residual oil in the mixture wasobserved to rise to the top of the mixture concurrent with the observedprecipitation of fines. This example illustrates that acidification of aComposition of the Invention, after extraction and removal of oil fromAthabasca oil sand, can effect precipitation of fines.

Example 24

A series of Experiments was performed to evaluate illustrativecompositions of the invention prepared using various plant sources, andto assess the effect of various components in Compositions of theInvention. Each composition was prepared by the method described inExperiment 1, then 5 parts by weight of it were admixed with 95 parts byweight of water to provide a solution of the composition to be tested.The contents of each composition are described in Tables 7-18, below.All experiments employed the method for extracting light tar oil asdescribed in Example 17, using the light tar oil described therein.

Experiment Series 1

Experiment series 1 was performed as shown in Table 7, employing corngluten meal as the plant source.

TABLE 7 Results of Experiment Series 1 Plant 50% S-type Expt. SourceNaOH H₂O NaCl hydrated # (g) (g) (mL) (g) lime (g) 1.2 39.8 15.89 237.80.159 0 1.3 39.8 15.89 237.8 0 1.58 1.4 39.8 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58

The compositions of Table 7 successfully released light tar oil from themass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. These experimentsillustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effective in removingoil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 2.1

Experiment series 2.1 was performed as shown in Table 8, employing corngluten meal at the protein source at a reduced concentration relative tothe composition of Example 1.

TABLE 8 Results of Experiment Series 2.1 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O NaCl drated # (g) (g) (mL) (g)(mL) (g) lime (g) 2.1.1 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58 2.1.319.9 0 0 15.89 237.8 0.159 0 2.1.4 19.9 0 0 15.89 237.8 0 1.58 2.1.519.9 0 0 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58 2.1.6 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0 02.1.7 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0 1.58 2.1.8 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89237.8 0.159 0

The compositions of Table 8 successfully released light tar oil from themass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. These experimentsillustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effective in removingoil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 2.2

Experiment series 2.2 was performed as shown in Table 9, employing corngluten meal at the protein source at a reduced concentration relative tothe composition of Example 1.

TABLE 9 Results of Experiment Series 2.2 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O NaCl drated # (g) (g) (mL) (g)(mL) (g) lime (g) 2.2.1 9.95 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58 2.2.39.95 0 0 15.89 237.8 0.159 0 2.2.4 9.95 0 0 15.89 237.8 0 1.58 2.2.59.95 0 0 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58 2.2.6 9.95 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0 02.2.7 9.95 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0 1.58 2.2.8 9.95 0.086 15.89 15.89237.8 0.159 0

The compositions of Table 9 successfully released light tar oil from themass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. These experimentsillustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effective in removingoil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 2.3

Experiment series 2.3 was performed as shown in Table 10, employing corngluten meal at the protein source at a reduced concentration relative tothe composition of Example 1.

TABLE 10 Results of Experiment Series 2.3 70% S-type Plant Citricisopro- 50% hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O NaCl drated # (g) (g)(mL) (g) (mL) (g) lime (g) 2.3.3 4.98 0 0 15.89 237.8 0.159 0 2.3.4 4.980 0 15.89 237.8 0 1.58 2.3.8 4.98 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 0

The compositions of Table 10 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 4

Experiment series 4 was performed as shown in Table 11, employing corngluten meal as the plant source with added polysaccharide.

TABLE 11 Results of Experiment Series 4 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% Guar hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O Gum NaCl drated # (g) (g)(mL) (g) (mL) (g) (g) lime (g) 4.1 39.8 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 1.9780.159 1.58 4.2 39.8 0 0 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 0 4.3 39.8 0 0 15.89 237.81.978 0.159 0 4.4 39.8 0 0 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 1.58 4.5 39.8 0 0 15.89237.8 1.978 0.159 1.58 4.6 39.8 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 0 4.739.8 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 1.58 4.8 39.8 0.086 15.89 15.89237.8 1.978 0.159 0

The compositions of Table 11 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 4b

Experiment series 4b was performed as shown in Table 12, employingcotton seed meal as the plant source with added polysaccharide.

TABLE 12 Results of Experiment Series 4b 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% Guar hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O Gum NaCl drated # (g) (g)(mL) (g) (mL) (g) (g) lime (g) 4b.1 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 1.9780.159 1.58 4b.2 19.9 0 0 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 0 4b.3 19.9 0 0 15.89 237.81.978 0.159 0 4b.4 19.9 0 0 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 1.58 4b.5 19.9 0 0 15.89237.8 1.978 0.159 1.58 4b.6 19.9 0 0 15.89 237.8 1.978 0 0 4b.8 19.9 0 015.89 237.8 1.978 0.159 0

The compositions of Table 12 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 6

Experiment series 6 was performed as shown in Table 13, employing wheatgerm as the plant source.

TABLE 13 Results of Experiment Series 6 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% Guar hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O Gum NaCl drated # (g) (g)(mL) (g) (mL) (g) (g) lime (g) 6.1 39.8 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 1.9780.159 1.58

The compositions of Table 13 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 7

Experiment series 7 was performed as shown in Table 14, employing flaxseed as the plant source.

TABLE 14 Results of Experiment Series 7 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% Guar hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O Gum NaCl drated # (g) (g)(mL) (g) (mL) (g) (g) lime (g) 7.1 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 1.9780.159 1.58

The compositions of Table 14 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 8

Experiment series 8 was performed as shown in Table 15, employing cottonseed meal in varying amounts as the plant source.

TABLE 15 Results of Experiment Series 8 70% S-type Plant Citric isopro-50% hy- Expt. Source Acid panol NaOH H₂O NaCl drated # (g) (g) (mL) (g)(mL) (g) lime (g) 8.1 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 0 8.2 9.950.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 0 8.3 4.975 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.1590 8.4 19.9 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58 8.5 9.95 0.086 15.89 15.89237.8 0.159 1.58 8.6 4.975 0.086 15.89 15.89 237.8 0.159 1.58

The compositions of Table 15 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 10.2

Experiment series 10.2 was performed as shown in Table 16, employingcorn gluten meal as the plant source, various concentration of base(sodium hydroxide), and corn gluten meal is either soaked in water for12 hours prior to use (Expts. 10.2.1-10.2.3) or the used dry (Expts.10.2.4-10.2.6).

TABLE 16 Results of Experiment Series 10.2 Plant 50% Expt. Source NaOHH₂O NaCl # (g) (g) (mL) (g) 10.2.1 19.9 15.89 253.69 0.159 10.2.2 19.930 253.69 0.159 10.2.3 19.9 45 253.69 0.159 10.2.4 19.9 15.89 253.690.159 10.2.5 19.9 30 253.69 0.159 10.2.6 19.9 45 253.69 0.159

The compositions of Table 16 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 12.2

Experiment series 12.2 was performed as shown in Table 17, employingwheat germ as the plant source, various concentration of base (sodiumhydroxide), and the wheat germ is either soaked in water for 12 hoursprior to use (Expts. 12.2.1-12.2.3) or used dry (Expts. 12.2.4-12.2.6).

TABLE 17 Results of Experiment Series 12.2 Plant 50% Expt. Source NaOHH2O NaCl # (g) (g) (mL) (g) 12.2.1 19.9 15.89 253.69 0.159 12.2.2 19.930 253.69 0.159 12.2.3 19.9 45 253.69 0.159 12.2.4 19.9 15.89 253.690.159 12.2.5 19.9 30 253.69 0.159 12.2.6 19.9 45 253.69 0.159

The compositions of Table 17 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Experiment Series 13.2

Experiment series 13.2 was performed as shown in Table 18, employingflax seed meal as the plant source, various concentration of base(sodium hydroxide), and the flax seed is either soaked in water for 12hours prior to use (Expts. 13.2.1-13.2.3) or used dry (Expts.13.2.4-13.2.6).

TABLE 18 Results of Experiment Series 13.2 Plant 50% Expt. Source NaOHH2O NaCl # (g) (g) (mL) (g) 13.2.1 19.9 15.89 253.69 0.159 13.2.2 19.930 253.69 0.159 13.2.3 19.9 45 253.69 0.159 13.2.4 19.9 15.89 253.690.159 13.2.5 19.9 30 253.69 0.159 13.2.6 19.9 45 253.69 0.159

The compositions of Table 18 successfully released light tar oil fromthe mass of tar oil adhering to the bottom of the beaker. Theseexperiments illustrate that Compositions of the Invention are effectivein removing oil from a substrate.

Example 25

Compositions 10.2.1 and 12.2.6 as described in Example 24, above, werelyophilized, either before centrifugation, or after centrifugation toremove solids and gel formed during preparation. In addition, theComposition of Example 2 was lyophilized after its preparation by themethod below.

Lyophilization was performed by placing each composition in a 50 mLloosely covered plastic vial, immersing the vial in liquid nitrogen for30 min, then placing the vial in a bench-top manifold freeze dryer andapplying vacuum (approximately 10⁻² torr) for 48 hours. The compositionswere weighed before and after lyophilization. The amount of liquidremoved was determined by the difference between the initial mass of thecomposition prior to lyophilization and its mass after lyophilization.The results are reported in Table 19, below.

TABLE 19 Mass of Solids Recovered and Liquid Removed in Centrifugationof Exemplary Compositions of the Invention Mass of Solids Mass of LiquidExpt. # (g) Removed (g) 10.2.1 - Centrifuged 2.704 20.921 10.2.1 -Non-centrifuged 2.723 21.307 12.2.6 - Centrifuged 2.723 11.395 12.2.6 -Non-centrifuged 5.497 21.647 Example 2 - Centrifuged 3.492 21.139

The recovered solids from each composition were reconstituted withwater. Reconstitution was performed in each of two ways: 1) adding waterto provide a solution having a concentration equal to 5 parts of thecomposition prior to lyophilization and 95 parts water; and 2) byreconstituting the solids to provide a mixture having the same mass asthe composition prior to lyophilization, then admixing 5 parts of thereconstituted mixture and 95 parts water. No observable differences wereobserved in preparing the compositions using the two reconstitutionmethods.

The efficacy of the reconstituted materials for extraction of light taroil, extraction of coal tar, and frothing and extraction of Athabascasand was assessed using methods described herein. The compositions wereobserved to perform essentially the same as comparable, non-lyophilized,non-reconstituted counterparts in each experiment.

These experiments illustrate that lyophilized and reconstitutedCompositions of the Invention are effective for removing oil from asubstrate, for extracting coal tar from coal tar sands, and for removingoil from Athabasca oil sand using frothing.

Example 26

An illustrative aqueous Composition of the Invention comprising plantmaterial, but not comprising polysaccharide other than that present inor derived from the plant material, was prepared as follows. Citric acid(0.086 grams) was dissolved in 15.89 ml of 70% isopropanol at about 23°C. Zein (26.5 g) was added, and the resultant mixture was allowed tostir for 2 hours. 15.89 g of a 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution wasadded to 237.8 g of water, the resultant diluted sodium hydroxidesolution was added to the isopropanol/zein mixture, and the resultantmixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours. Sodium chloride (0.159 g) wasthen added, also with stirring. The resultant mixture was then allowedto stand for an additional 2 hours. S-type hydrated lime (1.58 g) wasthen added with stirring, and the resultant mixture was stirred untiluniform. The solids were allowed to settle, and the supernatant wasdecanted to provide the illustrative aqueous composition as the decantedsupernatant.

In a glass vessel, (2.5 g) of the aqueous composition prepared asdescribed in paragraph [0256] was combined with water (47.5 g) toprovide an extractant. Coal tar sand (5 g, 15 wt % coal tar) from aNorth Carolina gasification plant site was added to the extractant. Theresultant mixture was stirred using a magnetic stir bar for 90 minutesat about 23° C. Extraction of the coal tar from the coal tar sand wasobserved.

This example demonstrates that an illustrative Composition of theInvention is useful for extracting coal tar from coal tar sand.

Example 27

A comparative composition comprising a polysaccharide, but notcomprising plant material, was prepared as follows. Guar gum (1.978 g),citric acid (0.086 g), 15.89 ml of 70% isopropanol, sodium chloride(0.159 g), S-type hydrated lime (1.58 g) and 15.89 g of a 50% aqueoussodium hydroxide solution were added to 237.8 g of water at about 23° C.The resultant mixture was stirred until uniform.

In a glass vessel, (2.5 g) of the comparative composition prepared asdescribed in paragraph [0259] was combined with water (47.5 g) toprovide a test extractant. Coal tar sand (5 g, 15 wt % coal tar) from aNorth Carolina gasification plant site was added to the test extractant.The resultant mixture was stirred using a magnetic stir bar for 90minutes at about 23° C. No extraction of the coal tar from the coal tarsand was observed.

Example 28

The weight percentage of protein, fat, fiber and carbohydrate wasdetermined for Compositions of the Invention comprising soybean orhulled hemp seeds as the plant protein. The protein, fat, fiber andcarbohydrate content of soybean and hulled hemp seeds is described inTable 20, below.

TABLE 20 Composition of soybean and hulled hemp seed. Soybean HulledHemp Seeds Protein 36.5% 33.3% Fat 19.9% 46.7% Fiber 9.3% 6.7%Carbohydrate 30.2% 20.0%

Example 29

An illustrative aqueous composition of the invention comprising hemp,but not comprising polysaccharide other than that present in or derivedfrom the plant material, was prepared employing HNO₃ instead of NaOH:

Citric acid (0.14 grams) was dissolved in 22.8 mL of 70% isopropanol atabout 23° C. Hulled hemp seed (56.838 g) was added, and the resultantmixture was stirred until homogenous, then allowed to stand for 2 hours.The resultant mixture was added to 284 mL of 2.0 M HNO₃, and stirred 12hours. Guar gum (2.84 g) and sodium chloride (0.23 g) wetted with 70%isopropanol was then added to hemp mixture with stirring, then allowedto stand an additional 3 hours. Calcium hydroxide (2.27 g) in 20 mL ofdistilled water was then added, and the resultant mixture was stirreduntil uniform then allowed to stand for 12 hours. The solids were werefiltered from the solution using a paint filter. The pH of the filtratewas then adjusted to pH 12.7 by adding 50 wt % sodium hydroxide solutionwith stirring. The pH 12.7 filtrate was then centrifuged for 20 minutesat 1,150 G. FIG. 27 is a photograph showing an aliquot of a pH 12.7hemp-based composition, prepared by acid treatment of hemp seed, aftercentrifugation. As shown in FIG. 27, the solution forms three layersafter centrifugation; the middle layer comprises protein from the hempseed.

An aliquot of the centrifuged filtrate (3 mL) was then admixed withwater (27 mL) to provide a 10 wt % solution of centrifuged hemp-basedcomposition, which had a pH of 12.7. 2 g of a mixture of #2 and #4Monarch oil was added to the solution. FIG. 28A is a picture showing themixture of #2 and #4 Monarch oil after addition to a 10 wt % solution ofthe uncentrifuged hemp-based composition. As can be seen in FIG. 28A,the 10 wt % solution of the uncentrifuged hemp-based compositionproduces stringers of Monarch oil.

An aliquot of the uncentrifuged filtrate (3 mL) was also admixed withwater (27 mL) to provide a 10 wt % solution of uncentrifuged hemp-basedcomposition, which had a pH of 12.7. 2 g of coal tar was added to thesolution. FIG. 28B is a picture showing coal tar after addition to a 10wt % solution of the centrifuged hemp-based composition. As shown inFIG. 28B, the 10 wt % solution of the centrifuged hemp-based compositionproduced stringers of coal tar. This Example demonstrates thatcompositions of the invention produced by acid treatment of a plantmaterial are useful in extracting hydrocarbon-containing oil or coal tarfrom a substrate.

Example 30

The sprouting process of a grain changes its protein and carbohydrateprofiles as the proteins (enzymes) are used to process the carbohydrates(starches) into energy for the plant to grow. Malting a grain is theprocess by which a grain is steeped in water and aerated to begin thesprouting process, then heated to stop the starch conversion at acertain point. Sprouting of soybeans prior to their use in thepreparation of illustrative Compositions of the Invention was conductedby rinsing soybeans with water 5 times, then placing the soybeans ondamp paper towels covered with a layer of damp paper towels, thencovering the damp paper towels with aluminum foil to preventevaporation. The damp beans were placed in the dark for about 2 daysuntil sprouts appeared.

An illustrative Composition of the Invention, prepared as described inExample 1, but substituting sprouted soybean for corn gluten meal, wasprepared (the “soybean sprout-based composition”). A 10 wt % solution ofthe soybean sprout-based composition was prepared by combining 2 g ofthe soybean sprout-based composition with 18 g of water. 2 g of amixture of #2 and #4 Monarch oil was added to the 10 wt % solution withstirring. The #2 and #4 Monarch oil was emulsified by the 10 wt %soybean sprout-based solution.

A second 10 wt % solution of the soybean sprout-based composition wasprepared by combining 5 g of the soybean sprout-based composition with45 g of water. 5 g of a coal tar coated sand, comprising about 10:1 sandto tar by mass, was added to the solution with stirring. After threehours of stirring, the coal tar was separated from the sand and formedballs in the second 10 wt % soybean sprout-based solution.

A third 10 wt % solution of the soybean sprout-based composition wasprepared by combining 5 g of the soybean sprout-based composition with45 g of water. 5 g of a coal tar coated sand, comprising about 10:1 sandto tar by mass, was added to the solution with stirring. After threehours of stirring, the coal tar was separated from the sand and formedballs in the third 10 wt % soybean sprout-based solution.

Example 31

Biodiesel was prepared by combining 90 g of vegetable oil with 19.2 g ofmethanol (with 1% by mass KOH dissolved in the methanol prior to mixingwith the vegetable oil) to vegetable oil,. Biodiesel is made by thecatalytic trans-esterification of triglycerides (fats) which make upvegetable oils using methanol with a catalytic amount of hydroxide, asshown in Scheme 1, below.

Biodiesel prepared as described above surpassed the efficacy ofpetroleum diesel in dissolving the #6 oil, i.e., it was the bettersolvent. The aqueous composition of Example 1 (1 g) was combined withwater (19 g) to provide an extractant. When the extractant was combinedin a 1:1 ratio with biodiesel prepared as described above, an emulsionwas formed, unlike the phase separation observed when the extractant wascombined with petroleum-based diesel in ratios ranging from 1:10 to 10:1diesel to extractant.

Example 32

3.204 g of methanol was combined with 90 g of vegetable oil and stirredovernight to provide a partially trans-esterified glycerides (PTEG)mixture comprising triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, andfatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). 2 g of the PTEG solution was combinedwith 2 g of #6 oil, and the PTEG was observed to be miscible with the #6oil. However, when 10 mL of the PTEG solution was combined with 10 mL asolution comprising 2.5 g of the composition of Example 1 in 47.5 g ofwater, the resultant mixture formed an emulsion which persisted forabout 1 hour.

Example 33

To examine the emulsifying characteristics of a mixture of PTEG and anillustrative composition of the invention, 1 mL of the PTEG solution wascombined with 10 mL of a solution comprising 2.5 g of the composition ofExample 35 in 47.5 g of water and 1 mL of d-limonene. A solvent-in wateremulsion was formed and was visually observed to persist for 1 hour,significantly longer than the emulsion observed when 1 mL of the PTEGsolution was combined with 10 mL a solution comprising 2.5 g of thecomposition of Example 1 in 47.5 g of water.

Example 34

#6 Fuel oil contains approximately 25% asphaltenes. Because coal tardoes not float in a solution comprising 3 g of the Composition ofExample 35 and 27 g of water, a de-asphaltened coal tar sample wastested. The de-asphaltened coal tar was prepared by placingapproximately 50 g of neat coal tar in a 4 L glass bottle. Pentane wasadded to cover the coal tar layer and a stir bar used to stir thepentane. The pentane was removed every two days and set aside, freshpentane was replaced in the bottle. This procedure was repeated seventimes. The pentane, containing de-asphaltened coal tar, was evaporatedunder a gentle flow of air overnight to obtain pure de-asphaltened coaltar. A few drops of the de-asphaltened coal tar was added to a solutioncomprising 2.5 g of the composition of Example 1 in 47.5 g of water, anddid not float.

To liberate coal tar or oil from Athabasca oil sand, experimentsincluding stirring a sample with a stirbar and frothing the solution byaerating the solution with compressed air have been performed (see,e.g., Examples 21 and 22). As when stirring a mixture of a compositionof the invention and Athabasca oil sand, frothing can produce coagulatedmass of tar-enriched sand. FIG. 29 is a photograph of an illustrativefrothing apparatus. The elution chamber is configured to receive asample of material from which a hydrocarbon-containing substance (e.g.,oil, coal tar) is to be extracted. Air can be introduced into theapparatus from the bottom of the chamber.

FIG. 30 is a photograph showing shows a sample comprising homogenized 5wt % coal tar/95 wt % sand, in the bottom of the frothing apparatus ofFIG. 29, before frothing. As shown in FIG. 31, the coal tar (black) isdispersed relatively uniformly throughout the sand. 500 mL of a solutioncomprising 50 g of the composition of Example 35 and 450 g of water wasplaced in the apparatus of FIG. 29. After three hours of aeration, withair flow at approximately 60 psi through the coal tar/sand mixture, thetar is stripped from the sand, becoming suspended in the liquid. FIG. 31is a photograph showing a sample comprising homogenized 5 wt % coaltar/95 wt % sand, in the bottom of the frothing apparatus of FIG. 29after three hours of aeration with air at 60 psi. As shown in FIG. 31,coal tar is concentrated at the top of the sand, with clean sand belowit.

A 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 was prepared bycombining 50 g of the soybean sprout-based composition with 450 g ofwater. The solution was placed into the aeration apparatus of FIG. 29. 5g of a coal tar coated sand, comprising about 10:1 sand to tar by mass,was added to the solution, and the mixture was aerated. Time seriesexperiments were performed, observing the aeration at half-hourintervals. After 30 min of aeration, most of the sand in sections whereaeration was optimum was clean. However, after 3 hrs there were pocketsof coal tar due to poor aeration.

Example 35

An illustrative aqueous composition of the invention comprising plantmaterial, but not comprising polysaccharide other than that present inor derived from the plant material, was prepared as follows. Citric acid(1.07 grams) was dissolved in 0.156 kg of 70% isopropanol at about 23°C. Hulled hemp seed (0.497 kg) was added, and the resultant mixture wasallowed to stir for 2 hours, then allowed to stand for 2 hours. 0.620 kgof granular sodium hydroxide was added to 2.966 kg of water, theresultant sodium hydroxide solution was added to the isopropanol/hempmixture, and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours.Sodium chloride (1.98 g) was then added, also with stirring. Theresultant mixture was then allowed to stand an additional 2 hours.S-type hydrated lime (19.8 g) was then added with stirring, and theresultant mixture was stirred until uniform. The solids were allowed tosettle for 80 hours, and the supernatant was decanted to provide theillustrative aqueous composition as the decanted supernatant.

Example 36

An illustrative aqueous composition of the invention comprising plantmaterial, but not comprising polysaccharide other than that present inor derived from the plant material, was prepared as follows. Citric acid(1.07 grams) was dissolved in 0.156 kg of 70% isopropanol at about 23°C. Hulled hemp seed (0.497 kg) was added, and the resultant mixture wasallowed to stir for 2 hours, then allowed to stand for 2 hours. 0.620 kgof granular sodium hydroxide was added to 2.966 kg of water, theresultant sodium hydroxide solution was added to the isopropanol/hempmixture, and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours.Guar gum (24.8 g) wetted with 70% isopropanol was then added to theisopropanol/hemp mixture with stirring. Sodium chloride (1.98 g) wasthen added, also with stirring. The resultant mixture was then allowedto stand an additional 2 hours. S-type hydrated lime (19.8 g) was thenadded with stirring, and the resultant mixture was stirred untiluniform. The solids were allowed to settle for 80 hours, and thesupernatant was decanted to provide the illustrative aqueous compositionas the decanted supernatant.

Example 37

An illustrative aqueous Composition of the Invention comprising plantmaterial, but not comprising polysaccharide other than that present inor derived from the plant material, was prepared as follows. Citric acid(1.07 grams) was dissolved in 0.156 kg of 70% isopropanol at about 23°C. Hulled hemp seed (0.497 kg) was added, and the resultant mixture wasallowed to stir for 2 hours, then allowed to stand for 2 hours. 0.620 kgof granular sodium hydroxide was added to 2.966 kg of water, theresultant sodium hydroxide solution was added to the isopropanol/hempmixture, and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours.Sodium chloride (1.98 g) was then added, also with stirring. Theresultant mixture was then allowed to stand an additional 2 hours.S-type hydrated lime (19.8 g) was then added with stirring, and theresultant mixture was stirred until uniform. The solids were allowed tosettle for 104 hours, and the supernatant was decanted to provide theillustrative aqueous composition as the decanted supernatant.

Example 38

An illustrative aqueous Composition of the Invention was prepared asfollows. Citric acid (1.07 grams) was dissolved in 0.156 kg of 70%isopropanol at about 23° C. Hulled hemp seed (0.497 kg) was added, andthe resultant mixture was allowed to stir for 2 hours, then allowed tostand for 2 hours. 0.620 kg of granular sodium hydroxide was added to2.966 kg of water, the resultant sodium hydroxide solution was added tothe isopropanol/hemp mixture, and the resultant mixture was allowed tostand for 6 hours. Guar gum (24.8 g) wetted with 70% isopropanol wasthen added to the isopropanol/hemp mixture with stirring. Sodiumchloride (1.98 g) was then added, also with stirring. The resultantmixture was then allowed to stand an additional 2 hours. S-type hydratedlime (19.8 g) was then added with stirring, and the resultant mixturewas stirred until uniform. The solids were allowed to settle for 104hours, and the supernatant was decanted to provide the illustrativeaqueous composition as the decanted supernatant.

Example 39

A 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37 was prepared byadmixing 3 g of the composition of Example 37 and 27 g of water. Thesolution pH was 13.1. The solution was placed in a glass beaker, and0.37 g of coal tar was added to the solution with a glass rod. FIG. 32Ais a photograph showing the addition of coal tar oil to a 10 wt %solution of the composition of Example 37. As shown in FIG. 30A,initially stringers are formed upon introduction of the coal tar oil tothe solution. FIG. 32B is a photograph showing the emulsification ofcoal tar oil in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37 uponstirring for about 10 seconds. After shaking the mixture vigorously, afoam is formed and the coal tar was carried into the foam where itremained until the foam subsided after approximately 8 hours. FIG. 32Cis a photograph showing the foam that was formed after shaking themixture. FIG. 30D is a picture showing the difference in foamingperformance between 30 mL a 5 wt % solution of the composition ofExample 37 (left beaker) and 30 mL a 10 wt % solution of the compositionof Example 37 (right beaker), each comprising 0.37 g of coal tar oil,after 15 minutes of vigorous shaking

As shown in FIG. 30D, there is a distinct difference between the layersformed in each beaker. In the beaker comprising the 5 wt % solution ofExample 37, the coal tar is still in solution, whereas in the beakercomprising the 10 wt % solution of Example 37, the majority of the coaltar is carried in the foam.

After agitating the beaker comprising the 10 wt % solution of Example 37with a glass rod by striking the outside of the beaker, coal tar ballsfell out of the froth and to the bottom of the liquid in the beaker,then rose to top of liquid in the beaker. Without frothing, coal tarsinks to the bottom of the liquid in the beaker after stirring.

Example 40

5 wt %, 10 wt % and 20 wt % Solutions of the composition of Example 37were prepared by admixing 1.5 g, 3 g and 6 g of the composition ofExample 37 with 28.5 g, 27 g and 24 g of water, respectively. The pH ofeach of the solutions was 13.1. Each solution was placed in a glassbeaker, and 0.37 g of #6 fuel oil was added to each solution.

FIGS. 33A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a wt % solution of the composition of Example 37. As shown inFIG. 33A, on initial stirring, the #6 fuel oil did not significantdisperse. As shown in FIG. 33B, after aggressive stirring for about 10seconds, the #6 fuel oil formed small stringers in solution. FIG. 33C isa picture of the bottom of the beaker containing the 5 wt % solution ofExample 37 and the #6 fuel oil after aggressive stirring. As can beseen, small stringers of the #6 fuel oil are formed.

FIGS. 34A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37. As shown inFIG. 34A, on initial stirring, small stringers of the #6 fuel oil areformed. As shown in FIG. 34B, after aggressive stirring for about 10seconds, the #6 fuel oil formed small stringers in solution. FIG. 34C isa picture of the bottom of the beaker containing the 10 wt % solution ofExample 37 and the #6 fuel oil after aggressive stirring. As can beseen, stringers of the #6 fuel oil are formed.

FIGS. 35A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 20 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37. As shown inFIG. 35A, on initial stirring, the #6 fuel oil did not significantdisperse. As shown in FIG. 35B, after aggressive stirring for about 10seconds, the #6 fuel oil formed small stringers in solution. FIG. 35C isa picture of the bottom of the beaker containing the 5 wt % solution ofExample 37 and the #6 fuel oil after aggressive stirring. As can beseen, small stringers of the #6 fuel oil are formed.

Example 41

5 wt %, 10 wt % and 20 wt % solutions of the composition of Example 38were prepared by admixing 1.5 g, 3 g and 6 g of the composition ofExample 37 with 28.5 g, 27 g and 24 g of water, respectively. The pH ofeach of the solutions was 13.1. Each solution was placed in a glassbeaker, and 2 g of #6 fuel oil was added to each solution.

FIGS. 36A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 5 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38. As shown inFIG. 36A, on initial stirring, the #6 fuel oil formed a few smallstringers. As shown in FIG. 36B, after aggressive stirring for about 10seconds, the #6 fuel oil formed small stringers in solution. FIG. 36C isa picture of the bottom of the beaker containing the 5 wt % solution ofExample 38 and the #6 fuel oil after aggressive stirring. As can beseen, small stringers of the #6 fuel oil are formed.

FIGS. 37A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38. As shown inFIG. 37A, on initial stirring, larger stringers of the #6 fuel oil areformed. As shown in FIG. 37B, after aggressive stirring for about 10seconds, the solution darkened and the #6 fuel oil formed smallstringers in solution. FIG. 37C is a photograph of the bottom of thebeaker containing the 10 wt % solution of Example 38 and the #6 fuel oilafter aggressive stirring. As can be seen, many small stringers of the#6 fuel oil are formed.

FIGS. 38A-C are photographs showing the dissolution behavior of #6 fueloil in a 20 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38. As shown inFIG. 38A, on initial stirring, the #6 fuel oil formed large stringers.As shown in FIG. 38B, after aggressive stirring for about 10 seconds,the #6 fuel oil formed small stringers in solution. FIG. 38C is aphotograph of the bottom of the beaker containing the 5 wt % solution ofExample 38 and the #6 fuel oil after aggressive stirring. As can beseen, small stringers of the #6 fuel oil are formed.

Example 42

A 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37 (50 mL) was preparedby admixing 5 g of the composition of Example 37 and 45 g of water. ThepH of the solution was 13.1. The solution was placed in a glass beaker,and 5 g of coal tar sand (5% coal tar/95% sand) was added. FIGS. 39,40A-B and 41A-B are photographs showing the extraction of coal tar fromcoal tar sand in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37over approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of stirring. FIG. 39 showsthat after 10 minutes, no coal tar has been separated from the coal tarsand. FIG. 40A shows that after 1 hour and 21 minutes, some clean sandis present and chunks and stringers of agglomerated coal tar can be seenon top of the sand. FIG. 40B shows the bottom of the beaker at 1 hourand 21 minutes. FIG. 41A shows that after 3 hours and 21 minutes, mostlyclean sand is present and larger chunks and stringers of agglomeratedcoal tar can be seen on top of the sand. FIG. 41B shows the bottom ofthe beaker at 3 hours and 21 minutes. This Example demonstrates that aComposition of the Invention is effective at extracting coal tar fromcoal tar sand.

Example 43

A 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38 (50 mL) was preparedby admixing 5 g of the composition of Example 38 with 45 g of water. ThepH of the solution was 13.1. The solution was placed in a glass beaker,and 5 g of coal tar sand (5% coal tar/95% sand) was added. FIGS. 42,43A-B and 44A-B are photographs showing the extraction of coal tar fromcoal tar sand in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38over approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of stirring. FIG. 42 showsthat after 10 minutes, no coal tar has been separated from the coal tarsand. FIG. 43A shows that after 1 hour and 21 minutes, some clean sandis present and chunks and stringers of agglomerated coal tar can be seenon top of the sand. FIG. 43B shows the bottom of the beaker at 1 hourand 21 minutes. FIG. 44A shows that after 3 hours and 21 minutes, mostlyclean sand is present and larger chunks and stringers of agglomeratedcoal tar can be seen on top of the sand. FIG. 44B shows the bottom ofthe beaker at 3 hours and 21 minutes. This Example demonstrates that aComposition of the Invention is effective at extracting coal tar fromcoal tar sand.

Example 44

A 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37 (50 mL) was preparedby admixing 5 g of the composition of Example 37 and 45 g of water. ThepH of the solution was 13.1. The solution was placed in a glass beaker,and 5 g of Athabasca oil sand was added. FIGS. 45, 46A-B and 47A-B arephotographs showing the extraction of Athabasca oil from Athabasca oilsand in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 37 overapproximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of stirring. FIG. 45 shows thatafter 10 minutes, no oil has been separated from the Athabasca oil sand.FIG. 46A shows that after 1 hour and 21 minutes, very little oil hasbeen extracted from the Athabasca oil sand. FIG. 46B shows the bottom ofthe beaker at 1 hour and 21 minutes. FIG. 47A shows that after 3 hoursand 21 minutes, very little oil has been extracted from the Athabascaoil sand. FIG. 47B shows the bottom of the beaker at 3 hours and 21minutes.

Example 45

A 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38 (50 mL) was preparedby admixing 5 g of the composition of Example 38 and 45 g of water. ThepH of the solution was 13.1. The solution was placed in a glass beaker,and 5 g of Athabasca oil sand was added. FIGS. 48, 49A-B and 50A-B arephotographs showing the extraction of Athabasca oil from Athabasca oilsand in a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 38 overapproximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of stirring. FIG. 48 shows thatafter 10 minutes, no oil has been separated from the Athabasca oil sand.FIG. 49A shows that after 1 hour and 21 minutes, some oil has beenextracted from the Athabasca oil sand, oil balls are formed, and cleansand is observed on the bottom of the beaker. FIG. 49B shows the bottomof the beaker at 1 hour and 21 minutes. FIG. 50A shows that after 3hours and 21 minutes, most of the oil has been extracted from theAthabasca oil sand and some oil balls are formed. FIG. 50B shows thebottom of the beaker at 3 hours and 21 minutes.

Example 46

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of Phil Wood bicyclegrease. 1 drop of polysorbate is added to the mixture, and thend-limonene is added dropwise in increments to the solution, withagitation, to provide increasing ratios of polysorbate to d-limonene of1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5, 1:7 and 1:10 in the solution. At each ratio ofpolysorbate to d-limonene, the solution is stirred and observed beforeadding additional d-limonene.

Example 47

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of Phil Wood bicyclegrease. 20 drops of d-limonene are added to the solution, thenpolysorbate 80 is then added dropwise in increments to the solution,with agitation, to provide increasing ratios of polysorbate tod-limonene of 1:20, 2:20, 3:20 and 8:20 in the solution. At each ratioof polysorbate to d-limonene, the solution is stirred and observedbefore adding additional d-limonene.

Example 48

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of Phil Wood bicyclegrease. 10 drops of polysorbate is added to the mixture, and thend-limonene is added dropwise in increments to the solution, withagitation, to provide increasing ratios of polysorbate to d-limonene of10:1, 10:4, 10:7, 10:13, 10:16 and 10:19 in the solution. At each ratioof polysorbate to d-limonene, the solution is stirred and observedbefore adding additional d-limonene.

Example 49

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of #6 fuel oil.

Example 50

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of #6 fuel oil is combinedwith 2 g of d-limonene, then added to the 10 wt % solution of thecomposition of Example 35.

Example 51

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of coal tar.

Example 52

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of coal tar is combined with 2g of d-limonene, then added to the 10 wt % solution of the compositionof Example 35.

Example 53

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 5 g of NaCl is added to the 10 wt% solution of the composition of Example 35 and stirred. 2 g of #6 fueloil is then added and the mixture is stirred and allowed to stand for 2minutes.

Example 54

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 5 g of sugar is added to the 10 wt% solution of the composition of Example 35 and stirred. 2 g of #6 fueloil is then added and the mixture is stirred and allowed to stand for 2minutes.

Example 55

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 5 g of NaOH is added to the 10 wt% solution of the composition of Example 35 and stirred. 2 g of #6 fueloil is then added and the mixture is stirred and allowed to stand for 2minutes.

Example 56

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 5 g of NaCl is added to the 10 wt% solution of the composition of Example 35 and stirred. 2 g of coal taris then added and the mixture is stirred and allowed to stand for 2minutes.

Example 57

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 5 g of sugar is added to the 10 wt% solution of the composition of Example 35 and stirred. 2 g of coal taris then added and the mixture is stirred and allowed to stand for 2minutes.

Example 58

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 5 g of NaOH is added to the 10 wt% solution of the composition of Example 35 and stirred. 2 g of coal taris then added and the mixture is stirred and allowed to stand for 2minutes.

Example 59

An illustrative aqueous composition comprising whey, but not comprisingpolysaccharide other than that present in or derived from the whey, isprepared. Citric acid (1.07 grams) is dissolved in 0.156 kg of 70%isopropanol at about 23° C. Whey powder (0.497 kg) is added, and theresultant mixture is allowed to stir for 2 hours. 0.620 kg of granularsodium hydroxide is added to 2.966 kg of water, the resultant sodiumhydroxide solution is added to the isopropanol/hemp mixture, and theresultant mixture is allowed to stand for 6 hours. Sodium chloride (1.98g) is then added, also with stirring. The resultant mixture is thenallowed to stand an additional 2 hours. S-type hydrated lime (19.8 g) isthen added with stirring, and the resultant mixture is stirred untiluniform. The solids are allowed to settle for 80 hours, and thesupernatant is decanted to provide an aqueous composition as thedecanted supernatant.

Example 60

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 59 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 59. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of coal tar. The solutionis stirred for 1 hour.

Example 61

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 59 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 59. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of Athabasca oil sand. Thesolution is stirred for 1 hour.

Example 62

An illustrative aqueous composition comprising tyrosine, but notcomprising polysaccharide other than that present in or derived from thewhey, is prepared. Citric acid (1.07 grams) is dissolved in 0.156 kg of70% isopropanol at about 23° C. Tyrosine (0.497 kg) is added, and theresultant mixture is allowed to stir for 2 hours. 0.620 kg of granularsodium hydroxide is added to 2.966 kg of water, the resultant sodiumhydroxide solution is added to the isopropanol/hemp mixture, and theresultant mixture is allowed to stand for 6 hours. Sodium chloride (1.98g) is then added, also with stirring. The resultant mixture is thenallowed to stand an additional 2 hours. S-type hydrated lime (19.8 g) isthen added with stirring, and the resultant mixture is stirred untiluniform. The solids are allowed to settle for 80 hours, and thesupernatant is decanted to provide an aqueous composition as thedecanted supernatant.

Example 63

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 62 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 62. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of coal tar. The solutionis stirred for 1 hour.

Example 64

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 59 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 59. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker with 2 g of Athabasca oil sand. Thesolution is stirred for 1 hour. The solution is stirred for 1 hour.

Example 65

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of #6 fuel oil is combinedwith 2 g of diesel fuel, then added to the 10 wt % solution of thecomposition of Example 35.

Example 66

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of #6 fuel oil is combinedwith 2 g of biodiesel, then added to the 10 wt % solution of thecomposition of Example 35.

Example 67

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of #6 fuel oil is combinedwith 2 g of hexane, then added to the 10 wt % solution of thecomposition of Example 35.

Example 68

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of coal tar is combined with 2g of diesel fuel, then added to the 10 wt % solution of the compositionof Example 35.

Example 69

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of coal tar is combined with 2g of biodiesel, then added to the 10 wt % solution of the composition ofExample 35.

Example 70

20 g of a 10 wt % solution of the composition of Example 35 is preparedby combining 18 g water and 2 g of the composition of Example 35. Thesolution is placed in a glass beaker. 2 g of coal tar is combined with 2g of hexane, then added to the 10 wt % solution of the composition ofExample 35.

The embodiments described herein and illustrated by the foregoingexamples should be understood to be illustrative of the presentinvention, and should not be construed as limiting. On the contrary, thepresent disclosure embraces alternatives and equivalents thereof, asembodied by the appended claims. Each reference disclosed herein isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for precipitating fines contained in avessel further containing a hydrocarbon-containing material and anaqueous composition, comprising acidifying the contents of the vessel toa pH of about 4.6 or less, wherein the aqueous composition comprises: a.about 1 wt % to about 50 wt % of plant material; b. 0% to about 20 wt %of a polysaccharide; c. 0% to about 10 wt % of an alcohol; d. 0% toabout 25 wt % of a base; e. 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; f. 0% toabout 10 wt % of an acid; g. 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; h. 0%to about 30 wt % of a sugar; and i. about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % ofwater; wherein the aqueous composition has a pH of from about 9 to about13, and wherein the plant material is hemp seed, soybean, orcombinations thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plantmaterial comprises plant protein.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thesoybean is at least partially sprouted.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein the plant material is hemp seed.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the alcohol is ethanol, methanol, or isopropanol.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the base is sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, orpotassium hydroxide.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the salt issodium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride,magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, potassiumbromide, calcium bromide, magnesium bromide, ammonium bromide, sodiumiodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide, magnesium iodide, ammoniumiodide, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesiumsulfate, ammonium sulfate or mixtures thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the acid is citric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, aceticacid, malic acid, adipic acid, tannic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid,or mixtures thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the additive isType S Hydrated Lime, a surfactant, or a solvent.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the solvent is d-limonene, petroleum-derived dieselfuel, biodiesel, or combinations thereof.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the surfactant is a polysorbate.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the composition does not comprise a polysaccharide other thanthat present in or derived from the plant material, wherein the plantmaterial is hemp seed, and wherein the aqueous composition furthercomprises isopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodiumhydroxide, and sodium chloride.
 13. A method for separating fines from ahydrocarbon-containing material, comprising acidifying to a pH of about4.6 or less, a mixture comprising the hydrocarbon-containing material,the fines, and an aqueous composition; and allowing the fines toprecipitate, wherein the aqueous composition comprises: a. about 1 wt %to about 50 wt % of plant material; b. 0% to about 20 wt % of apolysaccharide; c. 0% to about 10 wt % of an alcohol; d. 0% to about 25wt % of a base; e. 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; f. 0% to about 10 wt %of an acid; g. 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; h. 0% to about 30 wt% of a sugar; and i. about 10 wt % to about 95 wt % of water; whereinthe aqueous composition has a pH of from about 9 to about 13, andwherein the plant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinationsthereof.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plant materialcomprises plant protein.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the soybeanis at least partially sprouted.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein theplant material is hemp seed.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein thealcohol is ethanol, methanol, or isopropanol.
 18. The method of claim13, wherein the base is sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, orpotassium hydroxide.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the salt issodium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride,magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, potassiumbromide, calcium bromide, magnesium bromide, ammonium bromide, sodiumiodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide, magnesium iodide, ammoniumiodide, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesiumsulfate, ammonium sulfate or mixtures thereof.
 20. The method of claim13, wherein the acid is citric acid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, aceticacid, malic acid, adipic acid, tannic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid,or mixtures thereof.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the additive isType S Hydrated Lime, a surfactant, or a solvent.
 22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the solvent is d-limonene, petroleum-derived dieselfuel, biodiesel, or combinations thereof.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the surfactant is a polysorbate.
 24. The method of claim 13,wherein the composition does not comprise a polysaccharide other thanthat present in or derived from the plant material, wherein the plantmaterial is hemp seed, and wherein the aqueous composition furthercomprises isopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodiumhydroxide, and sodium chloride.
 25. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising separating at least some of the precipitated fines from themixture.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein separating comprisesfiltering or centrifuging the mixture.
 27. A method for separating finesfrom a hydrocarbon-containing material, comprising acidifying to a pH ofabout 4.6 or less, a mixture comprising the hydrocarbon-containingmaterial, the fines, and an extractant; and allowing the fines toprecipitate, wherein the extractant comprises: a. about 0.1 wt % toabout 2 wt % of plant material; b. 0% to about 2 wt % of apolysaccharide; c. 0% to about 1 wt % of an alcohol; d. 0% to about 10wt % of a base; e. 0% to about 30 wt % of a salt; f. 0% to about 10 wt %of an acid; g. 0% to about 30 wt % of an additive; h. 0% to about 30 wt% of a sugar; and i. about 90 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water; wherein theplant material is hemp seed, soybean, or combinations thereof.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the plant material comprises protein. 29.The method of claim 27, wherein the soybean is at least partiallysprouted.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the plant material is hempseed.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the alcohol is ethanol,methanol, or isopropanol.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the baseis sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide.
 33. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the salt is sodium chloride, sodium nitrate,potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammoniumchloride, sodium bromide, potassium bromide, calcium bromide, magnesiumbromide, ammonium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium iodide, calciumiodide, magnesium iodide, ammonium iodide, sodium sulfate, potassiumsulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, ammonium sulfate ormixtures thereof.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein the acid is citricacid, formic acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, adipic acid,tannic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, or mixtures thereof.
 35. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the additive is Type S Hydrated Lime, asurfactant, or a solvent.
 36. The method of claim 27, wherein the pH ofthe extractant is from about 9 to about
 13. 37. The method of claim 27,wherein the extractant does not comprise polysaccharide other than thatpresent in or derived from the plant material, wherein the plantmaterial is hemp seed, and wherein the extractant further comprisesisopropanol, citric acid, Type S hydrated lime, sodium hydroxide, andsodium chloride.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein the solvent isd-limonene, petroleum-derived diesel fuel, or biodiesel.
 39. The methodof claim 27, further comprising separating at least some of theprecipitated fines from the mixture.
 40. The method of claim 39, whereinseparating comprises filtering or centrifuging the mixture.